Report That Settled the Los Angeles Free Harbor Fight

"Deep-Water Harbor at Port Los Angeles or at San Pedro, Cal. - Letter of the Secretary of War...", U.S. War Department

This important report settled the decade long "Free Harbor Fight" for federal support to develop a deep water port to serve Los Angeles. Railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington promoted Santa Monica as the ideal location (over which he had a monopoly), however, local newspaper and business interests supported a “free” harbor open to all at San Pedro. Both sides lobbied Washington for a decade, and Congress finally established an independent board to make the decision. The San Pedro location was ultimately selected and became one of the world’s great ports and engine for the rapid development of Los Angeles at the beginning of the 20th century. The 330 page volume includes 28 folding maps, profiles, and diagrams covering both the Santa Monica and San Pedro locations as well as 11 single-page photographic plates. Quarto, printed paper wrappers.

For a brief article on the significance of the report and its decision, click here.

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Condition: A

Condition code is for the maps which are clean, bright, and near fine. Text is very good with pleasant light toning. Paper wrappers have light wear and minor soiling, and the rear wrapper is chipped at top.