Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Western Defense Command Headquarters
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 4, 2019
1. Western Defense Command Headquarters Marker
Across the street to your left is Building 35. Lives were changed by decisions made here. Originally built as cavalry barracks in 1912, it was converted in 1918 for the School of Bakers and Cooks and then in 1921 to serve as the headquarters of the Ninth Corps Area, Fourth U.S. Army. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, this building became the headquarters of the Western Defense Command under Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt. He was responsible for the defense of the western United States and the campaign to recapture Attu and Kiska Islands in Alaska. President Franklin Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 gave DeWitt the authority to forcibly remove West Coast Japanese non-citizens and Japanese American citizens to relocation camps in the interior.
Erected by Presidio of San Francisco, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1941.
Location. 37° 48.09′ N, 122° 27.346′ W.
this page online
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: Old and New: Presidio Fire Station (here, next to this marker); French 24-Pounder (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Post to Park (about 400 feet away); Presidio of San Francisco (about 400 feet away); Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach (about 400 feet away); Old Station Hospital (about
Park Archives
2. Upper image
The 1918 graduating class of the Presidio School of Bakers and Cooks stands proudly in front of its temporary home. Originally the barracks had broad overhanging eaves and balconies with dcorative iron railings that gave it a Mediterranean or Italian Renaissance appearance.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Post Hospital (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. John L. DeWitt. Wikipedia article (Submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Executive Order 9066. Wikipedia article with transcript of the order. (Submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Left image: Park Archives, Presidio Army Museum Collection; middle image: Presidio Trust Library
3. Lower left and middle images
Lower left: In the 1930s and '40s the headquarters received miliatary radio messages from Hawaii, the Philippines, Chungking, Tokyo, and Australia.
Lower middle: In 1942, during wartime panic, more than 110,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were evicted from West Coast cities and imprisoned in relocation camps.
Lower middle: In 1942, during wartime panic, more than 110,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were evicted from West Coast cities and imprisoned in relocation camps.
The Bay School of San Francisco
4. Lower right image
Building Reuse Today
In 2005, this building was rehabilitiated for the Bay School of San Francisco, an independent college preparatory school with 400 students that emphasizes the process of scientific discovery and how those advances are ethically applied.
In 2005, this building was rehabilitiated for the Bay School of San Francisco, an independent college preparatory school with 400 students that emphasizes the process of scientific discovery and how those advances are ethically applied.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 4, 2019
5. Western Defense Command Headquarters Marker
View looking toward the the northeast. This marker is the one on the left. The Presidio Fire Station is in the background.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 4, 2019
6. Western Defense Command Headquarters Marker
View looking toward the south with Building 35 in the background.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 12, 2023
7. Western Defense Command Headquarters Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 7. submitted on March 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.
