CABRILLO Shadows of the Past

Proposed Navy Radio and Sound Historic District, 1906-1949

The Navy Radio and Sound Historic District, 1906-1919, is recommended for eligibility under Criteria A, B and C of the National Historic Preservation Act. This 1906 Radio Point Loma 11.4-acre reserve expanded in 1942 to include 60 surrounding acres in 1942 (Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995). Development as a radio and sound research facility of national importance began during the post World War I peace time, when the official radio letters "NPL" were added in 1912 and steel girder antennae linked with transcontinental transmitters in 1917. Expansion continued in peacetime, as evidenced by erection of the 1926 flagpole. This 71.4-acre property became a Navy Radio and Sound Laboratory in 1942 until it was de-commissioned in 1949.

The following properties are recommended for inclusion on the National Register for their association with the Taft Board policies for research and development of radio and sound communication infrastructure between 1906 and World War II. These properties contributed to exceptional scientific achievements that greatly affected America's defense during World War I and II.

Radio Point Loma Flag Pole, 1926. Cast concrete. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it contributed infrastructure support to the Point Loma Radio Station.

Point Loma Radio Station Building "A". Cast concrete. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because exceptional scientific achievements were advanced there which played a pivotal role in communication system development during World Wars I and II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Point Loma Radio Station Building "B", 1940. Wood frame. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because exceptional scientific achievements were advanced there which played a pivotal role in communication development before and during World Wars II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Point Loma Radio Station, Radio and Sound Laboratory, 1940. Wood frame and stucco. H-33. Building A-4, Space and Naval Warfare property. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because exceptional achievements were advanced there which played a pivotal role in communication development before and during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 81, Administrative Office, Research Library, 1942. Wood frame and stucco. Space and Naval Warfare activity. Recommended for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because exceptional achievements were advanced there which played a pivotal role in communication development during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Blacksmith and Sheet Metal Shop, Point Loma Radio Station, 1938. Wood frame and stucco. Space and Naval Warfare property. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because these shops developed electronic equipment used in pivotal scientific research and advancement in communication development before and during World II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Auxiliary Transmitter Building, 1942. Wood frame. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because this facility played a pivotal role in the exceptional achievements in communication and sound research at the Point Loma Radio Station and Sound Laboratory during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Radio Transmission Station, 1942. Cast concrete. H-26, Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because this facility played an exceptional pioneer role in communication and sound research during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

FCTC Structure, Counter Intelligence Code Training Building, 1944. Wood frame and stucco. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because this facility played an important role in training communication systems during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 45, Signal Propagation Tower, 1945. Steel. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties under Criteria A because this tower played an exceptional pioneer role in communication and sound research during World War II. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Proposed Naval Electronics Laboratory Historic District

Cold War Historic Context.

The historic context of post-1945 "Cold War" historic properties requires synthesis of existing historic contexts that developed to subsequent historic themes (see Apple, Van Wormer and Cleland 1995, Quaide 1999, Warton 1999, Blick and Sciuto 1999). Point Loma Cold War historic properties developed from the Taft Period, such as the 1906 Radio Point Loma and electric power infrastructure, and the 1942-1945 scientific research and development work in surrounding buildings. Those beginnings led directly to the Naval Electronics Laboratory in 1949.

The 1906 Radio Point Loma instantly became the West Coast center for research and development of communications and sound equipment following the Empire of Japan's attack in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The Point Loma Radio Station became the Counter Intelligence Code School in 1942 (May 1999a). Radio Station Point Loma, Batterys Whistler, Strong and Woodward, the Coal Yard, Navy Fuel Farm and the Upper Cantonment transferred from the Army to Navy in 1946-1947 to develop the "Naval Electronic Laboratory." Battery Whistler became the Arctic Research Laboratory in 1947. The federal Department of Public Health transferred the Quarantine Station to the Navy in 1949. Between 1949 and 1959, over 240,000 acres Fort Rosecrans became subdivided and transferred from the Army to the Navy.

Between 1956 and 1957, the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery acquired 636.48 acres. This land formed the top spine of Point Loma and separates Cabrillo National Monument and the former Naval Electronics Laboratory. Army General Order #31 discontinued Fort Rosecrans, a Class I sub-installation of Fort MacArthur. The final legal dismantlement and transfer of property to the Navy took place between 1959 and 1962 (May 199a). The 240,000-acre Naval Electronic Laboratory that was formed in 1949 following decommissioning of the Naval Radio Station, has Cold War historical value. A study is currently under way by JRP Historical Consulting Services under contract with the Navy (Mikesell 1998). Information provided by Steve Mikesell of JRP provided evidence to support a Cold War Naval Electronics Laboratory Historic District.

There is considerable overlap of historical values during the 1906 - World War II era in terms of establishment of the Naval Radio Station and Counter Intelligence Code training school and the Cold War Naval Electronics Laboratory (May 1999a). Buildings and structures of lesser significance during the earlier historic contexts assumed new meaning during the Cold War. For example, older buildings were relocated in 1948 to provide housing for senior scientists. This Cold War historic contexts requires serious reconsideration of the historic importance of many former Navy and Army buildings and structures.

The following properties are recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criterion A through C either because exhibit exceptional significance for their association with the Cold War or they are associated with the lives of persons significant during the Cold War. In some instances, they represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.

Structure 33, Scientific Laboratory, 1953. Cast concrete. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it played a pivotal role in exceptional scientific achievements in electronic research during the Cold War. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Flammable Storage Building, 1946. Concrete block. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it is associated with Cold War events of exceptional significance. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 371, Arctic Sciences Building, 1947. Concrete and steel. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Topside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it played a pivotal role in exceptional achievements in Arctic research during the Cold War. This is also the location of Battery Whistler, which exists underneath Structure 371. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 383, Administrative Office, 1945. Wood, Series 700. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Topside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it provided infrastructure support to exceptional Cold War research. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Structure 387, Warehouse, 1946. Corrugated steel. Space and Naval Warfare facility (Topside). Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A because it provided infrastructure support to exceptional Cold War Research. No testing under the asphalt parking lot has been conducted for archaeology.

Building "E," Radio Point Loma Married Operator's Quarters 1948. Wood frame. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Although determined not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties because this house was moved from the Radio Point Loma Station, it merits reconsideration as a contributing element to the Cold War Naval Electronics Laboratory. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A and B because it played a pivotal role and for its association as residences for nationally famous scientists during the Cold War.

Building "G," Radio Point Loma Married Operator's Quarters 1948. Wood frame Space and Naval Warfare facility. Although determined not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties because this house was moved from the Radio Point Loma Station in 1948, it merits reconsideration as a contributing element to the Cold War Naval Electronics Laboratory. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A and B because it played a pivotal role and for its association as residences for nationally famous scientists during the Cold War.

Buildings "H-K," Radio Point Loma Married Operator's Quarters 1948. Wood frame. Space and Naval Warfare facility. Although determined ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Properties because they were moved 1500 feet to support the Naval Electronics Laboratory in 1948, they merit reconsideration as contributing elements to the Cold War Naval Electronic Laboratory Historic District. Recommended eligible for inclusion on the National Register under Criteria A and B because it played a pivotal role and for its association as residences for nationally famous scientists during the Cold War.

Conclusion

The Point Loma Military Reservation contains the greatest concentration and broadest range of American Military history on the Nation's Pacific Coast, south of San Francisco. As explained in the introduction, Point Loma represents the four major technological pulses of American defense of the 20th century. Archaeological and historic properties within this reservation contribute to a complete understanding of the total function of American military historic contexts between 1898 and the present. This overview places those properties in meaningful historic contexts and shows how they are interconnected. Over the next century, more of Point Loma may be declared obsolete for military purposes. General Services Administration regulations might allow the National Park Service to expand to better interpret its resources. This overview provides information for long-term feasibility studies for such an event.

Twice since Cabrillo National Monument was established, the War Department declared some Point Loma lands as inactive. The 1922 Washington Naval Treaty opened Fort Rosecrans to civilian tourism. This ceased after the 1935 War Preparedness Act, but following World War II, the Army notified the General Services Administration that some Point Loma lands would become surplus between 1957 and 1960. During the latter period, Cabrillo National Monument expanded boundaries as a result. The Navy and Air Force expanded their operations on most of the former Army property. Since 1991, the Navy has substantially reduced operations and many research facilities occupying National Register eligible structures were halted. Many underground batteries, base end stations, and communication tunnels are vacant or operating at minimal levels. Over the next decade, the Navy may withdraw and remove historic facilities from some of the lands as 'down-sizing' or closures are approved.

Management Considerations

Future monument interpretive programs should expand to explain the role of military features within the park, in a broad Point Loma Military Reservation context. This should include a large scale map showing major historic features, an explanation of their functions, and changes that occurred between 1898, 1919, 1945, and the 1991 end of the Cold War. The linked role of the Navy on Point Loma should be interpreted along with the Fort Rosecrans system, to present a full picture of the entire defense scheme. This should include discussion of the Naval Radio and Sound Laboratories, which park visitors pass by while commuting on Cabrillo Memorial Drive.

Given a political climate and national program for decommissioning military bases, the National Park Service should be poised to respond to Department of Navy or General Services Agency future proposals to surplus portions of the Military Reservation on Point Loma. The post World War II scenario of the 1950s could be repeated in the next decade and this management overview provides the National Park Service with information on the potential interpretive value of the National Register eligible properties extant on the peninsula. Where possible, this report also identifies potential locations not yet tested for archaeological resource values.

Exhibit Potential

The monument has an opportunity to develop important educational exhibits concerning the Military Reservation at Point Loma. Use of photographs archived at the Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation, Building 127, and Space and Naval Warfare Library on Naval Base Point Loma can enhance those exhibits. Additionally, the Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation curates Fort Rosecrans Army artifacts that would loaned for such exhibits. Examples include a large electrical switch plate from Battery Wilkeson, uniform insignia and personal effects of soldiers from the 115th Company of Coast Artillery (1902-1924), and ammunition casings.

Photographs of interior graffiti inscriptions at Battery White from World War II and in the walls of the 1919 YMCA Service Club could be used to develop exhibits on the people who served Fort Rosecrans during important historical events. Along those same lines, thirteen letters dating from 1904 to 1905 and recovered from inside the walls of the 115th Company of Coast Artillery barracks could greatly enhance such an exhibit. Personalization of history through photographs and letters of people who actually served would bring the message of the exhibits to visitors on a personal basis.

References

Apple, Rebecca McCorkle, Steve Van Wormer and Jamie Cleland
1995 Historic and Archaeological Resources Protection Plan For the Point Loma Naval Complex, Phase I Archaeological and Architectural Survey For The Point Loma Naval Complex, San Diego, Appendices 2, 3, and 4. U.S. Navy, Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

Blick, David and Renee A. Sciuto
1999 "Cold War Historical Properties at Aberdeen Proving Ground". COMMON GROUND, Vol. 22, No. 9, pp. 49-50. National Park Service, Washington, DC

Callaghan, Paul Michael
1980 Fort Rosecrans, California. Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of History, University of San Diego.

Durst, Donald and Charrisa Wang
1995 Cultural Resources Inventory Survey and Historic and Archaeological Resources Protection (HARP) Plan. Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, San Diego, California.

Flower, Douglas, Darcy Ike and Linda Roth
1982 Cultural Resource Inventory, Archaeology/History/Architecture, Navy and Coast Guard Lands, Point Loma, San Diego, California. U.S. Naval Submarine Base, San Diego.

Floyd, Dale E.
1985 United States Coastal Defense, 1775-19S0: A Bibliography. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Gerould, Robert C.
1966 Fort Rosecrans, California: A History. Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of History, California Western University, Los Angeles.

Joyce, Barry A.
1996 A Harbor Worth Defending: A Military History of Point Loma. San Diego: Cabrillo Historical Association.

Keniston, Stanley
1996 Fort Rosecrans: Point Loma Coastal Defenses, National Register of Historic Places Nomination. Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center, RDT&E Division. San Diego, California.

Lewis, Emanuel Raymond
1970 Seacoast Fortifications of the United States: An Introductory History. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.

May, Ronald V
1985 The Guns of Point Loma: America's First Sea Coast Artillery Defense in San Diego. In Cabrillo Historical Seminar, The Military on Point Loma. pp. 26-36. Cabrillo Historical Association, San Diego.

1985 The Fort That Never Was on Ballast Point. Journal of San Diego History. 31(Spring):121-136.

1996 Nomination of Fort Guijarros, CA-SDi-12000, to the National Register of Historic Places and Preliminary Determination of the Site Boundaries. Research Report prepared for Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA, Inc., San Diego.

1995 Archaeological Field Report on the Horse Bone Site Test Excavation South of McCleland Road, United States Naval Submarine Base, San Diego, California. Report for the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, San Diego.

1998 Fiber Optic Cable Trench Report, Building 140, Naval Base Point Loma. Report for the Natural Resources Office, Navy Region Southwest. San Diego, California.

1999a Outline of Point Loma Architectural History, Baseline Data for Revision of the Fort Rosecrans Historic District and Other Districts. Manuscript in the Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation. San Diego, California.

1999b Anne's Alley South, Fiber Optic Cable Trench West of Buildings 137-140, Naval Base Point Loma. Report for the Natural Resources Office, Navy Region Southwest. San Diego, California.

2000 Restoration of Fort Rosecrans Officer's Quarters. Reflections. 22(Summer):4.

Mikesell, Steve
1998 Personal Communication.

Quartide, Rustin
1999 "Documenting the Cold War: Investigating Available Resources". COMMON GROUND, Vol. 22, No. 9, pp. 45-46. National Park Service, Washington, DC

Ransom, Edward
1967 The Endicott Board of 1885-1886 and the Coast Defenses. Military Affairs. 31 (Summer):74-84.

Ruhlen, George
1959 Fort Rosecrans, California. San Diego Historical Society Quarterly. 5 (October): pp. 60-68.

Triem, Judy
1995 Historic Eligibility Survey, Fort Rosecrans, Naval Submarine Base, San Diego. Report for the Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Command Naval Base, San Diego.

Turhollow, Anthony F.
1975 A History of the Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1898-1965. Los Angeles: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Widdel, Sharilyn
1995 Letter from the State Historic Preservation Officer to Captain David Stanley, Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Submarine Base, San Diego.

Wharton, Jeane
1999 "Interpreting the Cold War". COMMON GROUND, Vol. 22, No. 9, pp. 47-48, National Park Service, Washington, DC.

Newspapers

San Diego Union

Government Documents

U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, Completion Report, 1940. U.S. National Archives, Laguna Nigel.