Los Angeles Maritime Museum (formerly the Municipal Ferry Building)

Built in 1941, this Public Works Administration (WPA) "Streamlined Moderne" building was the base for an auto ferry which crossed the channel at regular intervals from San Pedro to a sister building on Terminal Island. It served navy personnel, fishing industry employees, and people who wished to avoid the long circuitous route through Wilmington and Industrial Long Beach. With the completion of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in 1963, ferry operations ceased, and the building became an overflow office for the Harbor Department.

Saved from deterioration by historically-minded citizens, the building has been beautifully restored, and now houses the largest maritime museum in California. This 75,000 square foot facility features more than 700 ship and boat models, a variety of navigational equipment and an operating amateur radio station. Exhibits include Native American artifacts relating to the sea, ship figureheads, maritime arts and crafts and an 18-foot scale model of the Titanic. Historical exhibits of the whaling industry, tall ships, commercial shipping, the Navy, the Merchant Marine and recreational sailing.

Try your hand at tying any of the 64 types of seaman's knots on display. Grip the wheel of a 19th-century sailing ship. Visitors can views an old fishing boat and a tugboat while watching ships in the harbor, or participate in classes on such topics as small boat handling, scrimshaw, celestial navigation, and ship model building. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Tours by appointment. $1 donation

Phone (310) 548-7618
Berth 84 at the foot of 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

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