Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Castillo de San Joaquin

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007

1. Castillo de San Joaquin Marker

Inscription. The first ship to enter San Francisco Bay, the San Carlos (Captain Ayala), dropped anchor off this point August 5, 1775. Lieutenant-Colonel Don Juan Bautista de Anza planted the cross on Cantil Blanco (White Cliff) March 28, 1776. The first fortification, Castillo de San Joaquín, was completed December 8, 1794 by José Joaquín de Arrillaga, sixth Governor of California. In 1853 United States Army engineers cut down the cliff and built Fort Point, renamed Fort Winfield Scott in 1882. This fort, a partial replica of Fort Sumter, is the only brick fort west of the Mississippi, its seawall has stood undamaged for over a hundred years.

Erected 1955 by San Francisco Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 82.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1942.

Location. 37° 48.625′ N, 122° 28.595′ W.

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Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. It can be reached from Marine Drive. Marker is located on the southwest corner of the Fort Wall. Fort Point in under the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Point National Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); Defending the Golden Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Point Light (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Defending the Golden Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Point (about

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

2. Castillo de San Joaquin Marker

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Golden Gate Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Lasting Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); All in a Day's Work (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Regarding Castillo de San Joaquin. This site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No.82)

Also see: Fort Point marker

Also see . . . California State Military Museum Fort Point. (Submitted on August 26, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Southern Wall of Fort Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007

3. Southern Wall of Fort Point

Marker is located on the corner of the building behind the trolley car.

Within the Walls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007

4. Within the Walls

The Brick Construction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007

5. The Brick Construction

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,674 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 26, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 26, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.