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

Fort Mason Historic District

U.S. Army post (1864-1966)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 4, 2019

1. Fort Mason Historic District Marker

Inscription.
First fortified by the Spanish in 1797, this bluff above the bay was re-armed by the U.S. Army in 1864. The post remained active through the Civil War, western Indian Wars, and conflicts abroad, beginning with the Spanish-American War in 1898. During World War II, Fort Mason was the Army’s logistics center for sending troops and supplies to the Pacific.

Fort Mason was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 4, 1985.

Erected by Golden Gate National Recreation Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 4, 1985.

Location. 37° 48.302′ N, 122° 25.916′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Marina District. It is at the intersection of Laguna Street and Marina Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Laguna Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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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: A different marker also named Fort Mason Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Golden Gate National Recreation Area Legislation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phillip Burton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brigantine Galilee (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named San Francisco Port of Embarkation (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Francisco Port of Embarkation (1932-1962) (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Mason Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tubbs Cordage Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Mason (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed

Upper right image image. Click for full size.

2. Upper right image

Though San Francisco had grown enourmously by 1900, Fort Mason was isolated from the city's bustle by undeveloped open space.

missing); San Francisco Port of Embarkation (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Congressman Phillip Burton (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. An identical marker is at Aquatic Park Pier.

Middle left images image. Click for full size.

Lower image: Bancroft Library

3. Middle left images

Guns were mounted at Fort Mason during the Civil War to guard the harbor and city.

Middle right image image. Click for full size.

4. Middle right image

General Dwight D. Eisenhower inspected Fort Mason in 1946.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 4, 2019

5. Fort Mason Historic District Marker

View looking to the northwest from Fort Mason towards Marina Green.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 17, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.