From Spanish Land Grants to World War II: An Overview of Historic Resources at the Naval Air Weapons Station, Point Mugu, California

Summary

This report, prepared for the Naval Air Weapons Station at Point Mugu, Ventura County, California, explores the historical development of the Mugu Lagoon area from the time of Spanish exploration to the advent of American involvement in World War II. The report provides historical context for the 27 historic archaeological sites, 50 years of age or greater, that have been identified so far on the military installation. Some post-World War II developments are also briefly traced in order to document post-war disturbances to the historic archaeological sites.

During most of the nineteenth century, large ranches occupied the areas inland from the coastal marshes that surround Mugu Lagoon. By the early 1900s, agriculture had replaced ranching, leading to the development of lima bean and sugar beet farms along the peripheries of the lagoon marshes. At about the same time, the marshes themselves attracted duck hunters, leading to the establishment of hunting clubs like the Ventura County Game Preserve.

By the 1930s, the coastal highway between Ventura County and Los Angeles opened the area to even greater use by sportsmen and hunters. The hunting dubs expanded during this period, but even more popular was the Mugu Fish Camp, near the inlet of the lagoon. The camp contained a restaurant, charter boat, fishing pier and platform, as well as cabins and stores. The movie industry was also attracted to this area, and Mugu Lagoon was the backdrop for at least two films. All of these developments were eclipsed by military use of the area during World War II and the years that followed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SRI Press

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1848 to 1880 (Early American Period)

Calendar Date: 1796 to 1848 (Spanish-Mexican Period)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): SRI Press

Contributor(s): Steven Schwartz

Principal Investigator(s): Mark T. Swanson

Permitting Agency(s): U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District

Prepared By(s): Statistical Research, Inc.

Submitted To(s): Naval Air Weapons Station, Point Mugu, CA

Record Identifiers

Delivery Order(s): No. 2

Contract No.(s): DACA-09-92-D-0011

File Information