Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Santa Monica Harbor and Breakwater
Photographed by James Hulse, November 5, 2021
1. Santa Monica Harbor and Breakwater Marker
After a breakwater was built in 1933 & 1934, Santa Monica Harbor became home to a proud collection of yachts, fleets of fishing boats, a cruise liner to Catalina and water taxis which served mobster Tony Cornero's infamous gambling ship, the "SS Rex".
The "SS Rex" was raided by law enforcement officers in 1939 during what came to be known as "The Battle of Santa Monica Bay". Led by then-Attorney General Earl Warren, agents threw all of the gambling machines and tables overboard. The harbor was an important commercial, military and recreational resource for almost fifty years before the storms of 1983 destroyed the protective breakwater.
Marker Donated in Honor of Mayor Herbert A. Spurgin
Erected by City of Santa Monica.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Law Enforcement • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 34° 0.488′ N, 118° 29.945′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue. The marker is located on the north rail of the Santa Monica Pier toward the end of the pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
this page online
Also see . . . The Battle of Santa Monica Bay.
On August 1, 1939, California Attorney General Earl Warren sent 250 local and state officers to raid four gambling ships anchored off the coast of Santa Monica and Long Beach. The Tango and Showboat idled off Long Beach while the Texas and the Rex anchored off Santa Monica.(Submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Local and state authorities, riding in Fish and Game boats and 16 rented water taxis, easily boarded the Tango, the Showboat and the Texas. Once aboard, raiding officers eagerly threw roulette wheels, dice tables, black jack tables and slot machines into the Pacific Ocean. Upon approaching the S.S. Rex, officers were greeted with armed gunmen and high-pressure fire hoses. A nine-day standoff ensued, which newspaper men dubbed "The Battle of Santa Monica Bay." Source: LAist and Southern California Public Radio (SCPR)
Photographed by James Hulse, November 5, 2021
2. Santa Monica Harbor and Breakwater Marker
courtesy Los Angeles Daily News/UCLA Library
3. S.S. Rex
The REX gambling ship as it resisted boarding from California Fish and Game boat (1939)
from Los Angeles Times, circa 1939
4. Newspaper Advertisement
Click on photo to see it full size.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
