CABRILLO Shadows of the Past

Proposed Navy Supply Center and Fuel Depot Historic District

After the Spanish American War in 1898, the Navy implemented plans to develop fuel and supply centers on the Pacific Coast (Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995).

Following a transfer of the Army Torpedo Station at the Quarantine Station to the Navy in 1901, the War Department transferred 360 acres of the Military Reservation to the Navy to develop a coaling station and a radio station. Commissioned in 1904, the La Playa Coaling Station developed into a fuel oil and supply center through both World Wars and continues to provide fuel to military airfields in the San Diego region.

World War I Historic Context

To defend the Pacific Coast against German submarines and other naval shipping threats, the Navy developed a primary supply and fuel center at San Diego. Concentration of fuel oil, munitions, and supplies greatly enhanced coastal patrols. The following properties are recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because they are associated with America's role in World War I and can contribute to a better understanding of this important period of American history:

FISC Structure 2, Boiler House — Transformer Building, 1918. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the development of power delivery infrastructure to naval forces on the Pacific Coast. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 12, Foam Fire Building, 1918. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the fuel delivery system to support naval forces in the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structures 20 and 21, Ordinance Magazines, 1919. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the ammunition delivery system to support naval forces in the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 11, Pumping Station, 1918. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the fuel delivery system to support naval forces in the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 41, Fuel Storage Tank, 1918. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the fuel delivery system to support naval forces in the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 42,55,000 bbl. Fuel Oil Tank, 1918. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with America's role in World War I and for the fuel delivery system to support naval forces in the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 Period

Between World War I and 1942, the Navy shifted from coal supply to fuel oil and munitions storage (Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995). Three small steel reinforced cast concrete ammunition bunkers built in 1919 handled small arms and ammunition. Torpedo warhead storage in a large blockhouse built in 1926 expanded that supply operation (May 1999a). During the rearming effort, two igloo bunkers were built in 1937 to handle depth charges. Together, the ammunition facilities and fuel depot made the Navy Supply Center on Point Loma the primary distribution point for all naval depth charges and depth charge material for the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II (May 1999a). The Navy re-commissioned the property as the Navy Supply Center Annex Fuel and Ammunition Department. Buildings and structures contributing to the role of the Navy Supply Center from that period are contributing elements to the proposed Navy Supply Center Historic District.

The following properties are recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because they are associated with America's peace time national defense policy following the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and political isolation from the outside world. These properties are also important for their increased role in economic recovery programs associated with the Great Depression:

FISC Structure 31, Air Compressor Building, 1925. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with the America's peace time national defense role in the wake of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 33,Warhead Storage Magazine, 1926. Hollow clay tile masonry and cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's peace time national defense role in the wake of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. The surrounding is a massive wooden buttress supporting an earth mound designed to withstand an explosion. The concrete pavement to the west may cover historic archaeology. No original engineering or architectural plans are know to survive for this structure.

FISC Structure 44, 10,000 bbl Fuel Oil Tank, 1931. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's peace time national defense role in the wake of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 43, 45, 57-62, 55,000 bbl Fuel Oil Tanks, 1931-1934. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's peace time national defense role in the wake of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 26, Submarine Salvage Gear Storage Warehouse, 1932. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's peacetime national defense role in the wake of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

War Preparedness Act of 1935 Period

The Navy made a smooth transition from post 1935 wartime preparedness at the Navy Fuel Depot to the Nation's entry into World War II (Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995). Continuous operation of this facility during the Isolationism Period following 1922 allowed a slow development of supply storage infrastructure that later served all military branches fuel the war in the Pacific Theater after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 (Turhollow 1975).

The Navy assumed greater importance during the years leading up to War in Europe and the Pacific. Naval patrols of the Pacific Coast provided a steady information stream welcomed by politicians and planners in the Department of War (May 1999a). Following the 1935 decision by Congress to rebuild America's defenses, the Navy expanded the Radio Station Point Loma and the Naval Fuel Depot. The resulting buildings and structures formed important support infrastructure for entry into World War II.

The following properties are recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because they are associated with the 1935 congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses. They are also recommended for eligibility because they are associated with military involvement in President Roosevelt's administrative programs to recover from the Great Depression.

FISC Structures 47 and 48, Ordinance Magazines, 1936. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression of the 1930s. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 74, Ordinance Magazine, 1936. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 53, Ordinance Magazine, 1937. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 51, Fuel Depot — Target Repair and Material Storage Structure, 1937. Cast concrete. Fuel Depot. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 302, Small Base — Small Craft Facility Pier, 1937. Wood. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression of the 1930s. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 50, Fuel Depot General Utility Building, 1937. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 56, Warehouse, 1938. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 63, 10,000 bbl Fuel Oil Tank, 1939. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with Congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression and develop fuel delivery infrastructure to support naval defense of the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 263, Spillway/Flume, 1939. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression and develop fuel delivery infrastructure to support naval Defenses of the Pacific. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 264, Water Dam, 1939. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Storm Drain, 1938. Cast concrete. Naval District Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 64, Foamite Generator Building, 1939. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 65, Pumping Station 1939. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 55, Salvage Gear Storage Building, 1940. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the La Playa area.

FISC Structure 70, Steel Ballast Sludge Storage Tank, 1940. Brick masonry. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 67, Shop and Bulk Storage Warehouse, 1940. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the archeologically sensitive La Playa area.

Warehouse 1940. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

FISC Structure 68, Warehouse 1940. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

Building F-17, Power House for Searchlights 1 and 2, 1940. Cast concrete. H-6. Space and Naval Warfare property. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 69, Warehouse 1941. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

Building 106, Small Craft Facility Barracks 1941. Space and Naval Warfare facility. (Bayside). B-k H-type Barracks. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

Building 107, Small Craft Facility Sterilizer and Heating Room, Section Base Boiler, 1941. Wood frame stucco. Fuel Depot. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with congressional policy to rebuild America's defenses during the Great Depression. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

Navy Wartime Historic Context

Following declaration of war in December of 1941, development of the Navy defense of San Diego accelerated (Ruhlen 1959). The number of ships and small craft passing through San Diego increased and the volume of supplies shipped by rail to the Naval Supply Center to be loaded on transports bound for the Pacific Theater sharply increased (Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995). The role of the Naval Supply Center and Fuel Depot became pivotal in the logistical support of all the American military services for the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Radar Unit S.C.R. 296, 1942. H-18, Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense during World War II. No testing under the soil has been conducted for archaeology.

Building 112, Small Craft Facility Boat Pool and Maintenance Office, 1942. Wood frame stucco. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

Building 120, Section Base Small Craft Facility, 1941. Wood and corrugated steel. Space and Naval Warfare property, Bayside. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

FISC Structure 49, Naval Fuel Depot Garage and Craft Repair Maintenance Building, 1941. Wood frame and stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

FISC Structure 75, Warehouse 1942. Corrugated steel. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

FISC Structure 70A, Fuel Depot Support Building, 1942. Wood frame stucco, Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology, but this is in the sensitive La Playa area.

FISC Structures, 76-84, 27,000 Bbl Fuel Oil Tanks, 1942. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's sea coast defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structures 85-88, 13,500 Bbl Diesel Fuel Oil Tanks 1942. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 93, Fuel Depot Support Structure, 1942. Wood frame stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 94, Fuel Pumping Station, 1942. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structures 107-109, Explosive Ordinance Magazines, 1943. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and ammunition delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot or soil area has been conducted for archaeology, but the south side of the hill from the metal tower is the location of the 1847-1880 Protestant Cemetery. At least 300 people were buried in this Protestant cemetery, including the wife of an Army officer who died following the Mexican War.

FISC Structure 95, Tank Cleaning Gear Storage Building, 1943. Wood frame stucco Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 101, Storage Building, 1943. Wood frame. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 105, Building Supply Warehouse, 1943. Wood frame. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 179, Tennis Court 1944. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 119, Building Supply Warehouse, 1944. Wood frame. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 110, Navy Fuel Annex Battery and Electrical Shop, 1944. Wood frame stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 114, Small Craft Facility and Fuel Annex Personnel Office, 1944. Cast concrete. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended Eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 113, Filter House — Oil Diesel, 1945. Wood frame and stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 115, Pumping Station, AG, 1945. Wood frame and stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Flagpole, 1942. Aluminum. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II.

Structure 127, Fire Fighting Equipment Building, 1942. Wood frame and stucco. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense and fuel delivery system to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 128, Small Craft Facility Barracks, 1942. Wood frame and stucco. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). B-k H-type Navy Barracks. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 130, Electronics Building, 1942. Wood frame and siding. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 132, Small Craft Facility Storehouse, 1943. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 143, Small Craft Facility Night Lookout Training Unit, 1944. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Bayside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FISC Structure 140, Maintenance Equipment Storage Building, 1945. Wood frame and stucco. Naval Base Point Loma. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A for its association with America's coastal defense to support Navy forces in the Pacific during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.