Below is a photo from the November 14, 1957 edition of the Palos Verdes News. Caption reads: Eight missiles stand ready to fire at the Palos Verdes Nike Site, with more missiles available in the underground storage area. The site is open to visitors on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until noon.
Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Library District Local History Center. Item: Nike Site on Peninsula article, 14 November 1957 Collection Name: Palos Verdes Peninsula News microfilm, 1937 - 2012. Archives: Palos Verdes Local History Center, Palos Verdes Library District. Rolling Hills Estates, California.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula played a large part in World War II - it was home to many missile control sites, launch sites, bunkers, and fire control centers. Remnants of former military sites are still visible on some parts of the Peninsula. Long Point Reservation is the current home of Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, but served as home to Nike Missile Site LA-55 as well as Battery 240 during World War II. The reservation was acquired in 1942 for the construction of Battery 240 and was later used as a Launch and Control site for the Nike Missile Program during the 1950s and 60s.
Nike Site LA-55 was one of many sites created as part of the Nike Missile Program to protect against the threat of manned bombers and other air missiles. The former launch site of the Nike Missiles is now used as a maintenance yard, and the administration buildings are now the offices of RPV City Hall. The 120 acre site was used for both the first generation Nike Ajax and the more powerful, longer range second generation, Nike Hercules. Each Nike Missile site had an Integrated Fire Control site that housed radars and computers, and the site for LA-55 was constructed off of Crenshaw near Seacrest Drive, where current day Del Cerro Park is located.
Battery 240 was renamed Battery Barnes in 1948 to honor US Artillery Coast Corps. Colonel Harry C. Barnes. During World War II, it housed two 6 inch N1903A2 guns . These turreted guns were able to protect local beaches with a range of up to 15 miles. Battery Barnes is now used by the US Coast Guard to house radar equipment.
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This geocache was placed with the permission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Cache hours: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. From the parking coordinates please walk down the asphalt driveway. There is a semi paved walkway that branches off and leads to the cache. Please do not cross any No Trespassing signs.
