Historical Photos and Maps of Del Amo Torrance, 1950-1960

Surrounding Communities are almost completely developed; many for World War II Housing. Historical drainage areas are still underdeveloped & earthen. Very few cultivated fields remaining. 

December 4th, 1952

December 4, 1952            Photo ID: 001 & 145

Top of Photo:  Montrose and Del Amo Sites 

Visible sites of:

Site A: Montrose Superfund Site 

  • Groundwater and soil contamination
  • Chlorobenzene, pCBSA, DDT
  • Vapor Intrusion Indoor Air: TCE, Chloroform, PCE, Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Mitigation slow and ineffective
  • Boys and Girls Club adjacent

Site B: Del Amo Superfund Site 

  • Groundwater, soil, indoor and ambient air contamination: Benzene and other petroleum products
  • Vapor Intrusion Indoor Air: Benzene, TCE, Chloroform, PCE, Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Toxic Waste buried in (7) unlined pits with Vapor Extraction System as remedial remedy (waste left in place must have a remedy review every five years).

Site 1: Jones Chemical 

  • Site contaminated with numerous dangerous chemicals, solvents, dry cleaning fluids, etc.
  • Focused mitigation work required/ EPA and Cal/EPA staff assigned to work on Jones exclusively
  • The property owner handles dangerous chemicals including chlorine at risk of an accident
  • Boys and Girls Club adjacent

Site 6: Ecology Controls Industry

  • Montrose Superfund Site Operable Unit 6: Historical Stormwater Pathway
  • Previous Uses: Chemical storage facility, Non permitted hazardous waste hauler (20 years) 
  • Requires through site investigation (DDT, Pesticides, VOCs)
  • Nightmare for residential community sharing fence line, including  property damage
  • Future land should benefit the already overburdened and underserved community

Site 7:  Armco Royal Blvd 

  • Two large lots on both sides of Royal Blvd.
  • Landfill for Armco slag and building debris
  • Potential contamination from DDT unknown
  • Capped and Fenced property dividing community (Monitored by Cal/Recycle)
  • Could be positive land use: park, greenspace, etc.

May  8, 1953                       

Photo ID: 155

Top: McDonnell Douglas, Del Amo Synthetic Rubber Plant and Montrose Chemical.

Many areas of the Historical (Estuary) Stormwater Pathway still undeveloped

Increasing development of Del Amo (County) & the Montrose (City) Communities.

Top Middle: McDonnell Douglas/Boeing is a contributor to the groundwater contamination although it is not a Superfund Site.  It has its own remediation effort underway & was a big part of the war effort which included Capital and International Light Metals not shown here.

Right Middle: Just visible is the edge of the Golden Eagle Refinery

Visible sites of:

Site A: Montrose Superfund Site 

  • Groundwater and soil contamination
  • Chlorobenzene, pCBSA, DDT
  • Vapor Intrusion Indoor Air: TCE, Chloroform, PCE, Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Mitigation slow and ineffective
  • Boys and Girls Club adjacent

Site B: Del Amo Superfund Site 

  • Groundwater, soil, indoor and ambient air contamination: Benzene and other petroleum products
  • Vapor Intrusion Indoor Air: Benzene, TCE, Chloroform, PCE, Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Toxic Waste buried in (7) unlined pits with Vapor Extraction System as remedial remedy (waste left in place must have a remedy review every five years).

Site 1: Jones Chemical 

  • Site contaminated with numerous dangerous chemicals, solvents, dry cleaning fluids, etc.
  • Focused mitigation work required/ EPA and Cal/EPA staff assigned to work on Jones exclusively
  • The property owner handles dangerous chemicals including chlorine at risk of an accident
  • Boys and Girls Club adjacent
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