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

San Francisco Port of Embarkation

Soldiers shipped out from here

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 11, 2013

1. San Francisco Port of Embarkation Marker

Click on photo to view photos and captions displayed on marker.

Inscription. First the Spanish and then the American military used this bluff to guard the harbor against hostile invasion. As the 19th century came to a close, Fort Mason’s mission shifted from keeping enemy ships out of the bay to sending U.S. military ships overseas. By 1915, Fort Mason was the army’s primary depot for shipping troops and supplies to conflicts and colonial territories in the Pacific.

In 1932, the transport operation, which occupied all of lower Fort Mason and several other bay area port facilities, acquired the name San Francisco Port of Embarkation (SFPE). In 1939, the SFPE employed 831 military and civilian personnel. They shipped 48,000 tons of cargo that year. By the end of World War II, in 1945, the SFPE employed more than 30,000 people. They shipped more than 23 million tons of cargo and 1.65 million soldiers on 4,000 freighters and 800 troopships.

Erected by Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 37° 48.436′ N, 122° 25.758′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Fort Mason. Marker is on San Francisco Bicycle Route 2, on the right when traveling west

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. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brigantine Galilee (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Mason Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); San Francisco Port of Embarkation (1932-1962) (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Mason Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phillip Burton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Golden Gate National Recreation Area Legislation (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Mason Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tubbs Cordage Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. This marker is located on the bicycle path on the bluff overlooking the water at the northern edge of Fort Mason.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 11, 2013

2. San Francisco Port of Embarkation Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 611 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.