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About the Museum
The Fort MacArthur Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Fort MacArthur, a U.S. Army post which guarded the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974. The Museum was established in 1985, and it is housed in the corridors and galleries of historic Battery Osgood-Farley. The Fort MacArthur Reservations hold an important collection of historical structures which were part of the U.S. Army's role in the defense of the American continental coastline from invasion. These structures clearly trace the development of American coastal defenses, from the all big gun era of the turn of the century to the missile era of today.

The rooms, galleries and corridors of the Museum contain a variety of exhibits and displays which include: the history of Los Angeles harbor defenses, home-front activities in the greater Los Angeles area during the World Wars, Civil Defense, American Pacific Theater military campaigns, early American Air Defenses and the important role of Los Angeles as a military port for both the Army and the Navy.

Veteran Spotlight
 By Stephen R. Nelson, Museum Director

In this issue, we focus on Mr. Grover Prowse. At the outbreak of WWII, Mr. Prowse lived in Albany, Oregon where he registered for the draft. He then moved to McClary, Washington and worked in a veneer factory. When his draft number came up, he was inducted into the Army at Fort Lewis, Washington. He recalls the induction process with some amusement. At a station issuing shoes, Prowse who wore size 7 shoes was handed size 9s. Upon complaining, it was suggested that he wear thicker socks. Perhaps the funniest aspect of this story is that he wore size 9 shoes from then on and even to today. Shortly after his processing, he was detailed to guard duty on his first night.

On that rainy night, he was issued only a pool cue stick as his weapon and was told to guard a transformer. That evening, he was approached by a soldier who asked what he was doing. He responded that he was guarding the transformer. Without thinking, he added that as far as he was concerned anyone that could pick it up could have it since he was only given a cue stick to protect it. It turned out that the soldier was the Sergeant of the Guard who was not impressed with his response.<More>
Important Notice
 Access information during construction
Over the few months the City of Los Angeles is going to be resurfacing the roads around the museum. Follow the line in green on the map below to access the museum during construction.

Join us for our next event!
 Old Fort MacArthur Days

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