Long Point Military Reservation
Long Point Military Reservation (1930-1974) - An Coastal Military Reservation first established in 1930 above Long Point and Point Vincente in the present day city of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California. A sub-post of Fort MacArthur. Abandoned in 1974.
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Part of the Harbor Defense of Los Angeles.


The Long Point Military Reservation was initially acquired in 1930 to house six fire control stations for the large caliber guns at Fort MacArthur. The initial site was a small hillside reservation overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Long Point. The fire control stations were rectangular reinforced concrete structures built into a steep hillside.
World War II (1941-1945)

In the opening days of World War II, Battery B of the 3rd Coastal Artillery Regiment moved two 155mm GPF guns from the upper reservation gun park at Fort MacArthur to emplacements at Long Point Military Reservation. These were temporary field emplacements that were later replaced by two Panama mounts. The Panama mounts were completed by the end of March 1942 and the guns were emplaced there until Battery 240 was completed in 1943. The emplacements were located on the north side of Long Point below the 1930s fire control stations.
Construction on the modern 6" twin gun Battery 240 began in 1942 and was completed with the proof firing of the guns in October 1943. Battery 240 was located on the upper level of the reservation overlooking Point Vincente. In January 1944 a new fire control Radar set SCR-296 was accepted for service.
Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery 155 - Long Point | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1942-1943-1944 | $ 8,208 | |
Source: CDSG |

Cold War (1947–1991)

Battery | Type | Location | GPS | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LA-55C | Control | Above Point Vicente MR | 33.758007, -118.368094 |
1956-1974 | |
LA-55L | Launch | Point Vicente MR | 33.74375, -118.403773 |
1956-1974 | |
Source: Fort MacArthur - NIKE, Wikipedia - California NIKE Stes |
Current Status
Most of the site is owned by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California. The city hall and other city facilities are located on the former military reservation.
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Location: City Hall, Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 33.7447911 Long: -118.4045523 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles, (LA-AN-WDC-44), 31 Aug 1944, CDSG
Links:
Visited: 4 Jan 2013
Long Point Military Reservation Picture Gallery
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