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.
The Western Magazine. . 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.
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. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of
Click or scan to see this page online
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.
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 48 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.