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What Do Base Ends Stations Look Like?
 There Often Mistaken for Machine Gun Nests
 
Early base-end stations were small concrete boxes without any overhead cover. The original plans for the base-end stations at Los Angeles did not provide for overhead cover. The base-end stations constructed in the Los Angeles area during the 1920-1930 period were square boxes with an entrance hatch on the top and metal observation shutters on the front and sides of the box.
 
Fire control stations were constructed during the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's for the Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles. A few of these structures can still be found on the Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur, Point Fermin, White Point, Sea Bench, Point Vicente, Long Beach, and other places. During World War II observation towers similar to oil well towers were built at several locations including Playa del Rey. All of the of the pre World War II fire control stations are in danger of being destroyed. Most of the World War II stations have been destroyed or buried. Soon, they may all be gone.
This is B" 6 Farley, built in 1920 and being unearthed for an Air Force Officer's housing project at White Point. There were six stations similar to this one at White Point. Thanks to an agreement with the Air Force, this station will be moved and preserved. A second 1920 era station, B"4 Merriam, will be left buried, and the Battery Commander's Station for the World War II 16-inch Battery Paul D. Bunker will be preserved. A tip of the hat to the United States Air Force for their preservation efforts.
  
The Sea Bench Military Reservation contained a grouping of 1930's era fire control stations originally constructed for Batteries Osgood-Farley, Leary-Merriam, and Barlow-Saxton. The fire control station for Battery Osgood is preserved in place. The remaining five fire control stations were demolished to re-vegetate the area for endangered wildlife .
 
Also at Sea Bench is a triple decked World War II era fire control station associated with the 16-inch (Battery Paul D. Bunker) at White Point, the 6-inch Battery 241 at Fort MacArthur, (Now under the Korean Bell) and Battery 240 (Battery Harry C. Barnes) at Point Vicente. This is the only existing triple decked fire control station left in the HDLA.
 
These sites were saved from demolition by the Preservation Committee of the Fort MacArthur Museum Association. The Association wishes to thank all of those who participated in the preservation of these small bits of the Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles.

Additional Projects

     Hey Rookie (Gaffey Street) Pool
     Fort MacArthur K9 Cemetery
     Incredible Shrinking National Register Site
     Whites Point Preservation
     Fire Control Stations Preservation
          How Did Base End Stations Work?
          What Do They Look Like?
     Bolsa Chica Beach Panama Mounts


Plan for a 1920's era Base-End Station
for Fort MacArthur
Today this 1920's vintage Base-End Station
at the Sea Bench reservation is half -buried
under a walking trail overlooking the new
Ocean Trails golf course

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