Do you know what the Long Beach oil islands are?
If you know what I’m talking about, then you’ve been taken in by the mystery and illusion of the Long Beach Oil Islands. Built in 1965 for an estimated $22 million dollars each, the THUMS Oil Islands have been a magical part of Long Beach for as long as most residents can remember.
What are the THUMS Islands in California?
THUMS Islands. The THUMS Islands or Astronaut Islands are a set of four artificial islands in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Beach, California. They were built in 1965 to tap into the East Wilmington Oil Field.
How many islands are there in Long Beach California?
If you’ve ever spent any time on the coast of Long Beach California you’ve surely seen them, the four islands not too far off the beach, each one appearing to contain what must be some sort of high priced resort, or even maybe an amusement park. Maybe condos for the rich and famous?
Why are there four man-made islands in Long Beach?
It is the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the state. “It was to be done from four man-made islands that were designed to appear as tropical settings and to hide the development from view. That was the reason for the islands.” The Long Beach coastline, with THUMS visible.
When were the Long Beach oil islands built?
What are the names of the islands named after astronauts?
How many barrels of oil are produced in Long Beach?
Do the islands have a drawback?
What are the 3 islands off Long Beach?
The four islands that comprise THUMS -- Grissom, White, Chaffee and Freeman, all named after NASA astronauts who died in training accidents -- are located about a mile offshore in Long Beach Harbor.
What purpose do the islands off of the coast of Long Beach serve?
These manmade isles, dubbed the Astronaut Islands, are the only decorated oil islands in the U.S. Measuring 10 acres each, they were built in 1965 as part of a city beautification project to camouflage offshore oil derricks and muffle their sound.
What does Thums stand for?
Five oil companies formed a Long Beach company called THUMS: Texaco (now Chevron), Humble (now ExxonMobil), Union Oil (now Chevron), Mobil (now ExxonMobil) and Shell Oil Company. They built four artificial islands at a cost of $22 million (in 1965 dollars).
Who owns Thums Islands?
THUMS comprises four oil production islands in Long Beach Harbor that are owned by the City of Long Beach, as well as facilities in the Port of Long Beach. The THUMS islands, which are about 10 acres in size, were named after four astronauts who died in the line of duty in the early years of the U.S. space program.
Does Long Beach have oil rigs?
Pier J was expanded into the Long Beach Harbor to develop the LBU. Approximately 1,450 wells have been drilled. The Long beach Unit began water flooding at start-up to help prevent subsidence. Today, Wilmington Field oil production is approximately 46,000 barrels per day from 1,550 active wells.
What are island White and island Freeman?
Furthering the hip, space-age theme, in 1967 each island was named after early astronauts killed in the line of duty: White, Grissom, Chaffee, and Freeman. That lead to their nickname, the “Astronaut Islands.” These strange, otherworldly islands, closed to all but those who worked on them, became a Long Beach icon.
What is the island off the coast of California?
Swaying palms, white-sand beaches, and melt-your-heart sunsets—that's what you'll find at island getaway Santa Catalina Island, just 22 miles off the Southern California coast.
Can you visit Island Grissom?
Island Grissom is the closest to land, containing waterfalls and more screens sound walls than the others islands. The access to the island is not allowed except for occasional guided tours.
What is Thums island Long Beach?
The THUMS Islands are a set of four artificial islands in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Beach, California. The THUMS Islands were built in 1965 to tap into the East Wilmington Oil Field.
How was Long Beach formed?
1882: Long Beach, originally planned as Willmore City by developer William Willmore, began forming along the coast. 1885: Competition between the new Santa Fe Railroad and older southern Pacific Railroad attracted hordes of visitors to Long Beach and created a real estate boom.
How long and wide is Long Beach island NJ?
The island is about a half-mile wide (800 m) at its widest point in Ship Bottom, and spans a fifth of a mile (300 m) at its narrowest point in Harvey Cedars.
How was Long Beach formed?
1882: Long Beach, originally planned as Willmore City by developer William Willmore, began forming along the coast. 1885: Competition between the new Santa Fe Railroad and older southern Pacific Railroad attracted hordes of visitors to Long Beach and created a real estate boom.
How long and wide is Long Beach island NJ?
The island is about a half-mile wide (800 m) at its widest point in Ship Bottom, and spans a fifth of a mile (300 m) at its narrowest point in Harvey Cedars.
Can you visit Island Grissom?
Island Grissom is the closest to land, containing waterfalls and more screens sound walls than the others islands. The access to the island is not allowed except for occasional guided tours.
Vegas Resort? Nope. Long Beach Oil Islands! - ShowMeHome.com
6621 E. Pacific Coast Highway #150, Long Beach, CA 90803. 562-896-2456 · [email protected] CalBRE #01247705 · CalBRE #01394310 · CalBRE #01443822 · CalBRE #02055219
Why are the Astronaut Islands called Astronaut Islands?
Since 1967, they have been commonly referred to as the Astronaut Islands, with the islands named after the American astronauts killed in an accident in preparation for the Apollo 1 mission.
Who built the islands at Disneyland?
Construction of the islands was overseen by Disneyland architect Joseph Linesch. To disguise the industrial oil production, he planned waterfalls, screens, and extensive landscaping along with the condo-style camouflage, and colorful lights at night.
When were the Astronaut Islands built?
These manmade isles, dubbed the Astronaut Islands, are the only decorated oil islands in the U.S. Measuring 10 acres each, they were built in 1965 as part of a city beautification project to camouflage offshore oil derricks and muffle their sound.
What is the closest island to land?
Island Grissom is the closest to land, containing waterfalls and more sculptured screens than the other islands. The screens and decorations also serve to deter the public from swimming to the islands (trespassers are subject to arrest).
Where are the Astronaut Islands?
set of four artificial islands in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Beach, California. Island Grissom, one of the THUMS Islands. The THUMS Islands or Astronaut Islands are a set of four artificial islands in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Beach, California .
How many tons of boulders are there on Catalina Island?
The rim of the islands are made of 640,000 tons of boulders from Catalina Island, and the islands were then filled with 3.2 million cubic yards of dredged material from the bay.
Why is the island called the Astronaut Islands?
Since 1967, they have been known as the Astronaut Islands, having been renamed in honor of four American astronauts who lost their lives in the service of NASA. Island Freeman ( Theodore C. "Ted" Freeman) is named for the first astronaut to perish in active duty (piloting a T-38 Talon jet trainer).
Who owns the Thums Islands?
Operations in the THUMS Islands are currently run by the THUMS Long Beach Company , which is part of the California Resources Corporation.
How big is the island of Freeman?
Island Freeman is the largest of the islands, at 12 acres (4.9 ha).
What are the lights on Long Beach?
On some nights, the small islands off the shore of Long Beach shine with bright Vegas-style lights: orange, yellow, red and blue. Rising around a quarter mile off the coast, they feature colorful 180-foot cement towers, waterfalls, and a plethora of palms, oleanders, and sandalwood trees. They “look like giant futuristic sets for a modern-day Wizard of Oz, or some billionaire’s idea of luxury apartment living,” one reporter wrote in 1967. The fascinating story of the their construction, and the remarkably successful attempts to mask their true purpose, are emblematic of a strange and problematic period in the history of early environmental activism in America.
Who predicted that the islands would “blend with the coastal landscaping, the beginnings of which are now being installed by?
Joseph H. Linesch papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UC, Santa Barbara.
How much money did THUMS bring to Long Beach?
THUMS have also brought a more than $4 billion payday to both the state and the city of Long Beach. Also reaping financial rewards are the 6,000 Long Beach landowners living near the shore who had stakes in the oil field.
Did Long Beach lift the drilling ban?
Long Beach had already voted to lift a ban on drilling within city limits when a “beautification clause” had been inserted into the language of the proposal.
How long is Catalina Island?
About 22 miles south-southwest of Los Angeles, Catalina Island is the southernmost island of California's Channel Islands. The Island is made up of two towns, the incorporated city of Avalon on the east end, and the unincorporated village Two Harbors on the west end. The island is just 22 miles long and 8 miles across.
How far is Catalina Island from Long Beach?
The trip from the mainland of Long Beach out to Catalina Island is 22 miles under the glorious Southern California sun.
How long does it take to get to Long Beach from the Catalina Express?
Catalina Express gets you from Long Beach to the island in only an hour. Making as many as 30 trips a day, the boat gives passengers a scenic view of Southern California from the water during the convenient journey. IEX Helicopters also offers access to the island via a 15-minute ride from the Long Beach heliport. 3.
What airport is closest to Catalina Island?
The closest airport that will give you readily available access to Catalina Island is Long Beach’s own airport (LGB). About 33 miles from the island, Long Beach Airport offers daily arrivals and departures from 12 destinations, with connections internationally. 4.
Is Catalina Island open?
Yes, Catalina Island is currently open to visitors. Passengers aboard the Catalina Express must wear face masks and follow COVID-19 precautions, as well as when in public areas on the island.
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Get your free travel planner to California + printable checklists, restaurant recommendations, and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
FREE CALIFORNIA TRAVEL PLANNER
Get your free travel planner to California + printable checklists, restaurant recommendations, and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
When were the Long Beach oil islands built?
If you know what I’m talking about, then you’ve been taken in by the mystery and illusion of the Long Beach Oil Islands. Built in 1965 for an estimated $22 million dollars each, the THUMS Oil Islands have been a magical part of Long Beach for as long as most residents can remember. They were originally named the THUMS Oil Islands after ...
What are the names of the islands named after astronauts?
They were eventually officially named after different fallen astronauts and became known as the Astronaut Islands; Island Freeman for Theodore C. Freeman, Island Grissom for Virgil I. Grissom., Island White for Edward H. White II, and Island Chaffee for Roger B. Chaffee.
How many barrels of oil are produced in Long Beach?
Some come by boat from the Port of Long Beach, and some from the downtown marina areas. With approximately 25,000 barrels of oil still being produced by the islands every day, it takes a full crew working around the clock to keep operations up and running day after day.
Do the islands have a drawback?
The fancy looks and exotic lore do come with at least one drawback. The islands have a tendency to attract unwanted visitors from time to time. Some attempt to travel to the islands by boat. Occasionally someone will actually attempt to swim to these mysterious locations! Just a word of advice: It’s a felony to trespass on the islands, and the men and women who work there take unwanted guests very seriously.
