Near Lee Vining in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Navy Beach
Photographed By Richard Wisehart, July 8, 2009
1. Navy Beach Marker
Inscription.
Navy Beach. . During the Cold War, Mono County was home to one of many remote facilities used by the US Military to test new weapons and weapons systems. A "secret military installation" operated by the US Navy was located along the south shoreline of Mono Lake. During the 1950's and 1960's several branches of the US Armed Forces utilized this test facility to conduct various research. Numerous top-secret exercises were actually performed here during what was called "seismic testing." However with the expansion of other nearby bases, growing public safety and environmental concerns, this facility soon outgrew its usefulness. In May 1962 all operations ceased and soon thereafter the facility was abandoned. Although many scientists, technicians, soldiers and sailors worked at this installation for many years, all that remains today of their activities are a few remnants and the name "Navy Beach." This monument and plaque dedicated as a California sesquicentennial event on September 11, 1999.
During the Cold War, Mono County was home to one of many remote facilities used by the US Military to test new weapons and weapons systems. A "secret military installation" operated by the US Navy was located along the south shoreline of Mono Lake.
During the 1950's and 1960's several branches of the US Armed Forces utilized this test facility to conduct various research. Numerous top-secret exercises were actually performed here during what was called "seismic testing." However with the expansion of other nearby bases, growing public safety and environmental concerns, this facility soon outgrew its usefulness. In May 1962 all operations ceased and soon thereafter the facility was abandoned.
Although many scientists, technicians, soldiers and sailors worked at this installation for many years, all that remains today of their activities are a few remnants and the name "Navy Beach."
This monument and plaque dedicated as a California sesquicentennial event on September 11, 1999.
Erected 1999 by Bodie Chapter E Clampus Vitus and US Forest Service Mono Lake R.D.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Notable Events • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1962.
Location.
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37° 55.63′ N, 119° 1.368′ W. Marker is near Lee Vining, California, in Mono County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 120 and the South Tufa Area Entrance Road, on the left when traveling east on State Highway 120. Marker is 100 feet from State Highway 120 on the entrance road to the South Tufa Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lee Vining CA 93541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 8, 2012
2. Navy Beach Marker with Propeller
Photo of Navy Beach Marker with the ship propeller clearly showing.
Photographed By Richard Wisehart, July 8, 2009
3. Navy Beach Marker
View is northeasterly with Mono Lake in the background. Foreground road is the entrance road to the South Tufa Area. State Highway 120 is 100 feet to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2009, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 2,465 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. 2. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
