“East San Diego once housed a little mesa.” Today we explore the fascinating history of the Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL. This facility played a pivotal role in naval communications. It all began in 1914 when the government bought 73.6 acres in Chollas Heights. They sought to build a high-power transmitter station. This station would handle traffic from Washington to the Pacific area.
Construction started in 1915. By 1916, the Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL was commissioned. It became the U.S. Naval Radio Station. The first transmitter was a massive 200-kilowatt Poulsen-arc machine. It was so powerful that it could be remotely controlled from Point Loma.
The Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL’s testing in January 1917 was a big event. Local people and Navy officials attended. Mayor Edwin Capps and other prominent leaders were present. They knew this was an important development for San Diego. Lieutenant Hooper made the first successful transmission to Arlington, Virginia. Mayor Capps sent a congratulatory message. He noted that space had been “completely annihilated”.
The facility at Chollas Heights included three steel self-supporting towers. These towers were essential for radio transmission. Building 1 housed the transmitting equipment. There was also a powerhouse and quarters for operators. Over time, support buildings and recreational facilities were added. These included a pool and tennis courts.
In 1917, when the transmitter first went on the air it was the most powerful in North America. As technology progressed MF and HF transmitters and antennas were added. The Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL became an essential part of Radio San Diego. In 1940, the station played a crucial role in broadcasting the news of the Pearl Harbor attack. The transmitters at Radio Pearl were down for maintenance. Radio San Diego relayed the message via Radio San Francisco. Thus the first news of the Japanese attack on the fleet at pearl Harbor was broadcast by Radio San Diego.
In 1947, Radio San Diego was moved to Imperial Beach. The Chollas Heights facility remained important. It housed transmitters and antennas. By the 1960s, the site had one LF transmitter, 23 HF transmitters, and six UHF transmitters. There were also 32 HF and six UHF antennas.
The original towers were quite impressive. The San Diego Union described them in 1916. Each tower was 600 feet tall and triangular in shape. They cost $90,000 to build. In 1916 the cost of construction of one 600 foot LF tower was $33K. Seventy years later it cost $122K just to paint one.
In September 1983, the Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL transitioned to civilian operation. Cost restraints and technology led to its closure on September 30, 1992. Demolition of the 600-foot towers took place on Veterans Day 1995.
Today, the site is home to Navy housing units. However, the Transmitter Building remains. Part of it has been turned into a museum. It showcases the site’s history. Four original navy housing units also remain. A piece of one of the 600-foot towers is still there too. If you have time, please visit the museum during regular business hours on weekdays. It is a great way to connect with the past. The Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility NPL played a significant role in naval communications history.