San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Night Watchmen

Photographed By Adam Margolis, August 27, 2022

1. The Night Watchmen Marker

Inscription. Soldiers carefully guarded this harbor during World Wars I (1917-1918) and II (1914-1945). As part of the night patrol, two or three soldiers operated a searchlight hidden behind this door. The five-foot diameter light was 8000 million candlepower-bright enough to blind someone. It was visible at up to 35 miles.

If a suspicious boat approached, the soldiers would quickly roll the searchlight on track out to the edge of the bluff. There they would plug it into an electrical socket. By turning and tipping the massing searchlight, they could illuminate a moving target. This would help patrol boats to attack an enemy ship on even the darkest nights.

Erected by Cabrillon National Monument, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 32° 40.228′ N, 117° 14.302′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker can be reached from Bayside Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Heart and Soul of Lighthouses (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bayside Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Point Loma - The Early Years

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Point Loma Lighthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Point Loma Lighthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); João Rodrigues Cabrilho 1542 (approx. ¼ mile away); In Homage to the Spanish Expedition (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, August 27, 2022

2. The Night Watchmen Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.