East Point Military Reservation

 (1917-1962) - A World War I Coastal Military Reservation first established in 1917 by Act of Congress in Nahant, Essex County, Massachusetts. Deactivated in 1962.

World War I (1917-1918)


Authorization for the initial purchase of land for the East Point Military Reservation came by Act of Congress on 2 Jul 1917. The reservation was carved out of the East Point of Nahant on property owned by Henry Cabot Lodge, distinguished U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. By 1920, the reservation contained a searchlight position and some observation and controller positions.



World War II (1941-1945)
Additional land was bought and leased in 1942-1943 to support a number of fire control sites and two major gun batteries. Battery 104/Murphy was a fully casemated 16" gun battery, begun in 1942 and accepted for service in 1944. Battery 206 was a 6" rapid fire gun battery started in 1942 and accepted for service in late 1943 or early 1944. A temporary battery of mobile 155mm guns on Panama mounts was located on the reservation between 1924-1943. Four multi-story fire control towers were built on sites, 1A, 2A, 4A, and 5A during 1943-1944. Site 4A also housed an SCR-296 RADAR set. A large, underground, combined Plotting and Switchboard Room (PSR) was located along Swallow Cave Road behind Battery 104.

Cold War (1947–1991)
Between 1952 and 1956, the reservation was the site of a 90mm Anti-Aircraft battery protecting Boston. Between 1955-1962, it was Army NIKE missile launch site B-17 L. Deactivated in 1962. Acquired by Northeastern University in 1967.

Current Status
Now on property owned by Northeastern University, Nahant, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Sources:

Links:
 * North American Forts - East Point Military Reservation
 * Wikipedia - East Point Military Reservation
 * Coast Defense - East Point Military Reservation