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

Pershing Hall

— Presidio of San Francisco —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025

1. Pershing Hall Marker

Inscription.
Named in Honor of
John Joseph Pershing

General of the Armies of
The United States
Commanded 8th INF BDE. PSF.
13 Jan - 23 Apr 1914

Born 13 Sep 1860 Died 15 Jul 1948

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is September 13, 1860.

Location. 37° 47.828′ N, 122° 27.469′ W. Memorial is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. It is on Moraga Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 42 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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: Bachelor Officers' Quarters: Pershing Hall (a few steps from this marker); At Home in the Nineteenth Century Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Post Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Oldest Adobe Building in San Francisco (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Establishment of the Presidio of San Francisco (about 500 feet away); North West Corner of Original Presidio (about 500 feet away); The Alameda (about 600 feet away); Outpost of an Empire (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . John Pershing.

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A biography of General Pershing that includes an excerpt of his tinme at Presidio and tragic loss of most of his family.

On January 13, 1914, General Pershing took command of the 8th Infantry Brigade at the Presidio of San Francisco. It wasn't long, however, before tensions along the Mexican border forced the 8th Infantry to be transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas.

While her husband was away, Mrs. Pershing and the four children remained at the family's two-story Victorian house at the Presidio. Tragedy struck on Friday, August 27, 1915, when hot coals spilled from the hearth of the Pershing home and onto the highly waxed floor. The house was quickly consumed by flames; Frances and her three daughters—aged eight, seven, and three—perished in the blaze. Only five year-old Warren survived after being rescued by Pershing's long-time black orderly. Visiting the site, Pershing could only comment, "They had no chance."

(Submitted on September 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025

2. Pershing Hall Marker

Pershing Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025

3. Pershing Hall

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025

4. Pershing Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.