Vallejo in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Beyond These Sentry Houses
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023
1. Beyond These Sentry Houses Marker
Inscription.
Beyond These Sentry Houses. . The two Sentry Houses before you mark the entrance to the Mare Island Naval Ammunition Depot, which was the United States' first naval arsenal in the Pacific. The Depot manufactured, stored, and transported munitions for the U.S. Navy from 1857 to 1975. From its founding in January, 1857, the Depot eventually expanded to over 500 acres, including most of Mare Island itself and large areas added on to the southern end of the island by filling in the bay.
The Depot's heyday was during World War II, when it played an important role in supporting the war effort. Thousands of military and civilian workers passed through these gates, producing the munitions used by the U.S. Navy throughout the Pacific Theater. The Depot was active until 1975, and was selected for closure in April, 1996 as part of the Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program.
Today, the Sentry Houses are the gateway to many cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational treasures that are protected by the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. Significant features of the Mare Island National Historic District include the Navy's oldest cemetery in the West, the Naval Ammunition Depot workers' military and civilian housing, and the oldest of the munitions storage magazines. Portions of the Depot are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contribute to the Mare Island National Historic Landmark.
The Navy is conducting an ongoing environmental cleanup of the site, and work to clear munitions in specific parcels continues to this day. As a result, some areas are still off-limits to the public, except by guided access. ,
The two Sentry Houses before you mark the entrance to the
Mare Island Naval Ammunition Depot, which was the United States' first
naval arsenal in the Pacific. The Depot manufactured, stored, and
transported munitions for the U.S. Navy from 1857 to 1975. From its
founding in January, 1857, the Depot eventually expanded to over 500
acres, including most of Mare Island itself and large areas added on to the
southern end of the island by filling in the bay.
The Depot's heyday was during World War II, when it played an important
role in supporting the war effort. Thousands of military and civilian workers
passed through these gates, producing the munitions used by the U.S.
Navy throughout the Pacific Theater. The Depot was active until 1975, and
was selected for closure in April, 1996 as part of the Department of Defense
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program.
Today, the Sentry Houses are the gateway to many cultural, historic, scenic,
and recreational treasures that are protected by the Mare Island Shoreline
Heritage Preserve. Significant features of the Mare Island National Historic
District include the Navy's oldest cemetery in the West, the Naval
Ammunition Depot workers' military and civilian housing, and the oldest of
the munitions storage magazines. Portions of the Depot are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and contribute to the Mare Island
National Historic Landmark.
The Navy is conducting an ongoing environmental cleanup of the site, and
work to clear munitions in specific parcels continues to this day. As a result,
some areas are still off-limits to the public, except by guided access.
Topics.
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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1857.
Location. 38° 5.156′ N, 122° 15.616′ W. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. It is on Azuar Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vallejo CA 94592, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. 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 markers no longer nearby. Sentry Houses, A272 and A279 (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); First Wireless Station (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
The marker is visible by the sentry house on the right.
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023
5. Marker and Sentry House A-272
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023
6. Sentry House A-279
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 9, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5, 6. submitted on March 9, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
