Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach

Thompson Reach Marker image. Click for full size.

December 12, 2023

1. Thompson Reach Marker

Inscription. This site has changed dramatically over the years. Before the Army arrived, a creek ran below your feet supplying fresh water to an extensive salt marsh where Crissy Field is today. In the 1870s, soldiers grew vegetables on the creek's banks and later a strolling garden was laid out here. In 1883, shots rang out from the firing range built here. Later, nurses lived in a complex of buildings built over the culverted creek named after Dora E. Thompson. Those buildings were demolished in the 1970s and their debris filled this valley with its hidden creek.

In 2005, the Presidio Trust removed tons of debris and the buried creek was "daylighted." This is one of eleven landfill remediation projects in the park totaling approximately 72 acres. Volunteers planted seedlings from the Presidio Nursery to stabilize the soil, prevent erosion and create wildlife habitat. Today more than 100 species of native plants provide shelter where many native animals fee, rest, and build nests.

Erected by Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 37° 48.057′ N, 122° 27.269′ W. Marker is in San Francisco

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, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. It is on Lincoln Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Presidio of San Francisco (a few steps from this marker); First Women in the Army: U.S. Army Nurse Corps (a few steps from this marker); French 24-Pounder (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Station Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western Defense Command Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Old and New: Presidio Fire Station (about 400 feet away); From Post to Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Post Hospital (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 12, 2023

2. Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 12, 2023

3. Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 22, 2024. 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.