TO: HISTORICAL COMMISSION
FROM: LAURIE KOIKE, INTERIM COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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A MOMENT IN REDONDO BEACH HISTORY
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RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file a report on A Moment in Redondo Beach History
BACKGROUND
The Historical Commission voted at the September 18, 2019 meeting to include a brief Moment in Redondo Beach History feature at all future meetings.
FRANCIS HOPKINS WILDERNESS PARK by Chair Maroko
Located on the corner of Camino Real and Prospect, this 11 acre park is unique to our community. It is named after Francis E. Hopkins, who served Redondo Beach as City Manager from 1954-1973. Historically, it was one of 16 missile sites that were part of the Nike Missile Defense system that protected Los Angeles during the Cold War. Nike missiles were designed to intercept fast-moving objects in flight. According to Wikipedia, there was no evidence of launches at the Redondo Beach location. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the location was used as a radar-tracking site. The park sits atop the highest point of the El Segundo sand dunes and, before the city was formed, was used by the Chowigna Indians as a look-out place.
The site was opened initially as a missile base in 1956 and was out of service by 1963. In 1971, the Department of Interior transferred the land to Redondo Beach for $1, on the condition the land be developed as a public recreation area. Wilderness Park opened to the public in 1977.
Sources: City of Redondo Beach; Old Redondo; Daily Breeze (4/2/09); Los Angeles Times (9/15/01; 4/17/92); Wikipedia (“Chowigna, California”; “Nike Missile Sites”). ]
ATTACHMENTS
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