The poles were placed to support a radar screen as part of a test capability involving Nike-Hercules missiles. It was built in 1965. This requirement was cancelled and the project never completed.

There are two parallel rows of 20 poles (piles) extending out into the ocean 800 feet. The rows are 21 feet apart and the piles are 45 feet apart. Each pile was embedded a minimum of 10 feet below an "assumed firm material". Each pile rises approximately 23 feet above the water (MLLW).