Main Post in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Music in the Military: Presidio Band Barracks

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 16, 2014
1. Music in the Military: Presidio Band Barracks Marker
Captions: The 2nd U.S. Artillery regimental band about 1867. (upper left); The military band tradition was carried on at the Presidio by the 91st Division Band, which played at the centennial of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. (bottom, left); 6th U.S. Army Band on the steps of the band barracks about 1970. (bottom, left); Sergeant, field musician of the 7th California infantry in his dress uniform, 1902. (sidebar, top): Trumpet specifications. (sidebar, bottom).
Band barracks were usually smaller and more comfortable than standard barracks. Building 106 and Building 100 were both band barracks and “bookend” the five large Montgomery Street barracks. This barracks housed 37 musicians. It was built in 1909 in the Georgian Revival Style with Tuscan columns based on plans from the Office of the Quartermaster in Washington. From 1922 to 1941, this was the home of the Regimental Band of the 30th Infantry.
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the caissons go rolling along,
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the caissons go rolling along.
“The Caissons Go Rolling Along” World War I song (caissons are ammunition wagons)
sidebar, right
Daily Bugle Calls
06:00 Reveille
06:30 Mess call
07:30 Fatigue
08:00 Sick call
09:00 Assembly or Guard detail
10:00 Drill
12:00 Mess call
13:00 Drill
14:00 Fatigue
16:15 Recall (from Fatigue)
17:00 Retreat and Roll call
21:00 Tattoo - Roll call and Taps (extinguish lights)
Erected by Goldern Gate National Recreation Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 37° 48.111′ N, 122° 27.478′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Main Post. It is on Montgomery Street near Lincoln Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Montgomery Street, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montgomery Street Barracks (here, next to this marker); From Post to Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Infantry Row (about 500 feet away); Old and New: Presidio Fire Station (about 600 feet away); Western Defense Command Headquarters (about 600 feet away); Centennial Tree (about 700 feet away); Ordoρez Gun (about 800 feet away); Bicentennial Tree (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. The Montgomery Barracks are located in the San Francisco Persidio, a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Additional keywords. Music in the Military: Presidio Band Barracks
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,057 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on January 30, 2019, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4. submitted on March 11, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.


