Vallejo in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Western Magazine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2022

1. The Western Magazine Marker

Captions: (background photo) Building A-148, part of the developing Western Magazine. (1937); (upper center) During times of war the magazines were filled with munitions that supplied the Navy's Pacific operations. Today a row of empty magazines greets the morning sun.; (middle aerial view) The ordnance storage buildings, known as the Western Magazine, were built as the island's shoreline was extended into San Pablo Bay. (circa 1949), Magazine Loading Pier, The Production Manufacturing Area of the Naval Ammunition Depot. (circa 1948); (middle right) Loading munitions from railcars into the heavy cruiser USS Rochester. (1953)

Inscription. In addition to the naval shipyard, other military functions were established on the island. From 1857 to 1975 the Naval Ammunition Depot - located at the southern tip of the island - manufactured, tested and stored ammunition that supplied the Navy's Pacific operations. As the Navy's presence grew in the Pacific, the ammunition depot required greater storage capacity. The Western Magazine was built in the 1930s on the islands remote western shore, a safe distance from the ammunition manufacturing area.

Although the ammunition was removed long ago, dozens of magazines still stand as silent sentinels of a historic past. These massive structures have thick reinforced concrete walls and lightweight roofs. They were designed to withstand a blast of an accidental explosion by sending most of the explosive force up through the roof. which would result in less damage to nearby structures and reduce the risk of injury to workers.

Erected by City of Vallejo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 38° 4.886′ N, 122° 16.748′ W.

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Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. It can be reached from the intersection of Dump Road. The marker is located on the Mare Island San Pablo Bay Hiking Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lawes Street, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: An Island Built of Mud (here, next to this marker); The Carquinez Strait: Gateway to California's Riches (here, next to this marker); St. Peter's Chapel (approx. one mile away); Beyond These Sentry Houses (approx. 1.1 miles away); Officers' Houses (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2022

2. The Western Magazine Marker

The marker is on the left.

(approx. 1.2 miles away); German Marder and Torpedo (approx. 1.2 miles away); H.B.M. Centurian Anchor (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vallejo.

Other markers no longer nearby. First Wireless Station (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been confirmed missing); Sentry Houses, A272 and A279 (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.