3/14/1997
Landmark information
- Location:
On wall at entrance to Portuguese Bend Club, Palos Verdes Dr and Maritime Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes - Plaque:
Other Plaque - Site:
Nothing Remains - Date First Visited:
3/14/1997 - Date Most Recently Visited:
3/14/1997 - GPS Coordinates:
N 33 44.087, W 118 21.27
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Portuguese Bend Whaling Station
On the slopes below and west of this plaque stood the headquarters of Portuguese whalemen who put out through the surf in boats under oars and sail to harpoon passing gray whales to be towed ashore where the blubber was stripped and "tried out" in large black iron try-pots to produce valuable whale oil for lamps and lubricants. Active from 1860 to 1885, this station began its decline with the advent of fossil oil; however, three of the original structures, the try-pots, and crumbling furnaces remained until about 1928. This site is registered as California Historical Landmark #381.