Main Post in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Ordoñez Gun
A “War Prize” from the Philippines – 1899
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007
1. The Ordoñez Gun Marker
The Presidio’s Ordoñez gun was originally mounted in a Spanish coastal fort at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Undamaged during the Spanish American War, the gun was captured by Filipino nationalists, who were known as “Insurrectos” by the occupying Americans.
In September 1899, a combined U.S. Army-Navy force attacked the Filipino positions at Subic Bay. This gun was reported to have been destroyed by shellfire from the American cruiser USS Charleston. Some historians suggest that the damage was caused by the explosion of a shell within the gun.
Following the war, numerous captured guns from the Philippines were brought to the United States as war prizes. Publisher William Randolph Hearst acquired this Ordoñez gun and presented it to the City of San Francisco. It was on display in Columbia Square Park until 1973, when the U.S. Army acquired the gun for display at the Presidio.
This Ordoñez gun has been preserved in its battle-damaged state as a reminder of the U.S. Army soldiers who passed through the Presidio during the conflict in the Philippines, and their Spanish and Filipino opponents who manned the weapon.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 47.986′ N, 122° 27.47′ W. Marker was in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It was in Main Post. It could be reached from Graham Street. Marker is located Pershing Square at Moraga Avenue and Graham Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 34 Graham St, San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was on California’s Coast Ranges. It was also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it was 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 found 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 location: A different marker also named Ordoñez Gun (here, next to this marker); Centennial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Sixth United States Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Sixth Army Headquarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Stone Powder Magazine
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007
2. The Ordoñez Gun Marker with Gun in Background
Another marker is no longer nearby. War in the Philippines (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker has been permanently removed, based on the photo uploaded from July 26, 2025.
Also see . . .
1. The Spanish American War “A Splendid Little War”. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Pershing Square. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
3. Presidio of San Francisco. Military Museum of California website entry (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Additional keywords. Philippine American War
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007
3. Close Up of Photo on Marker
The Ordoñez gun in San Francisco's Columbia Square Park, surrounded by refugees from the 1906 earthquake.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007
4. Close-Up of Photo on Marker
A restored Ordoñez gun at San Juan National Historic Park in Puerto Rico. This rifled artillery piece, developed by Captain don Salvador Diaz Ordoñez of the Spanish army, could fire a 500-pound shell nearly seven miles. The Spanish military mounted Ordoñez guns in coastal forts in Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere.
April 18, 2009
5. An Additional Ordoñez Gun Marker
At the base of the gun is an additional marker, mounted on a low concrete pillar. The marker reads:
Relocated from the Bessie Carmichael School (Originally Columbia Square) in July 1973 with the advice and consent of San Francisco Board of Education and the assistance of the Honorable Trinidad Alconcel, Consul General, Republic of the Philippines, and the Philippine Community of San Francisco.
Emplaced on this site July 1973
By order of John L. Fellows Junior, Commanding Officer, Presidio of San Francisco
Relocated from the Bessie Carmichael School (Originally Columbia Square) in July 1973 with the advice and consent of San Francisco Board of Education and the assistance of the Honorable Trinidad Alconcel, Consul General, Republic of the Philippines, and the Philippine Community of San Francisco.
Emplaced on this site July 1973
By order of John L. Fellows Junior, Commanding Officer, Presidio of San Francisco
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 3, 2007
6. The Ordoñez Gun
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025
7. The Ordoñez Gun Marker
This is one of two markers that have been removed, based on the submission photos from 2007. The markers were located in the circled area
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,024 times since then and 147 times this year. Last updated on September 21, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on May 5, 2009. 6. submitted on October 18, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on September 21, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
