Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Richmond Shipyards
The Bill Beaver Project, December 7, 2017
1. Richmond Shipyards Marker
During the World War II Home Front effort, the Richmond Shipyards were an immense facility covering 880 acres. Constructed for the Henry J. Kaiser Company in 1941 and 1942, these shipyards became the largest in the world. New methods of ship construction developed here, including prefabrication and intense labor specialization, allowed the production of new vessels at a record pace.
The shipbuilding techniques used by Henry J. Kaiser at Richmond became a model for shipyards throughout the nation. During the period 1941-1942, the Richmond shipyards built 747 ships, including 519 Liberty ships, which represents almost a quarter of the total U.S. Liberty ship production.
Between 1942 and 1943 the Richmond shipyards hired 90,000 workers, many of them women, African Americans from the rural south, and members of other underrepresented groups. The influx of new workers drawn by good wages for unskilled labor reshaped the social and cultural landscape of the Bay Area.
Plaque placed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home
this page online
Erected 2017 by California State Parks. (Marker Number 1032.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 2017.
Location. 37° 54.844′ N, 122° 22.174′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker is on Canal Boulevard, one mile south of Seacliff Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1040 Canal Boulevard, Richmond CA 94804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wartime Changes (within shouting distance of this marker); Contra Costa College Site (within shouting distance of this marker); War Boomtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Dynamic Wartime Port (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clay, Kilns & Brick (approx. 0.6 miles away); SS Red Oak Victory (approx. 0.6 miles away); "I was truly there and did my part to the end." -- Addie Mae Cance, former shipyard worker
2. Richmond Shipyards Marker
Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark, CHL
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
