Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Dynamic Wartime Port

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
1. Dynamic Wartime Port Marker
Inscription. Dynamic Wartime Port. . "They were from all over the country... all these people came to work here in Richmond at the shipyards...The shipyards, the cannery, there was a lot of industry here...They had three yards, and they were sending out ships every day... and I swear it was mostly women that were doing this." Mary Lou Cordova, Richmond teenager during world war two , Miles of undeveloped shoreline and access to the deep waters of the bay made Richmond the location of choice for the largest and most productive shipyards during World War II. The US government and private industrialists became partners in new ways, laying the groundwork for what President Einsenhower later called the “Military/Industrial Complex.” Together they created innovative plants and production methods designed to rapidly supply the war effort. , Henry J. Kaiser's company, the Permanente Metals Corporation, designed and constructed Shipyard #3 as a permanent facility, which is one reason it is still relatively intact. Though all shipbuilding and wartime industry is gone, this is still an active port. Five historic buildings remain: the machine shop. general warehouse, riggers loft (with paint and sheet metal shop), first-aid station, and cafeteria. ,
Thanks, now goodbye! . , In 1945 when the war ended, most of the shipyard shut down. With returning servicemen re-entering the workforce, tens of thousands of shipyard workers, many of whom were women and people of color, were laid off from their jobs. . This historical marker was erected by National Park Service and East Bay Regional District. It is in Richmond in Contra Costa County California
"They were from all over the country... all these people came to work here in Richmond at the shipyards...The shipyards, the cannery, there was a lot of industry here...They had three yards, and they were sending out ships every day... and I swear it was mostly women that were doing this." Mary Lou Cordova, Richmond teenager during WWII
Miles of undeveloped shoreline and access to the deep waters of the bay made Richmond the location of choice for the largest and most productive shipyards during World War II. The US government and private industrialists became partners in new ways, laying the groundwork for what President Einsenhower later called the “Military/Industrial Complex.” Together they created innovative plants and production methods designed to rapidly supply the war effort.
Henry J. Kaiser's company, the Permanente Metals Corporation, designed and constructed Shipyard #3 as a permanent facility, which is one reason it is still relatively intact. Though all shipbuilding and wartime industry is gone, this is still an active port. Five historic buildings remain: the machine shop. general warehouse, 
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
2. Dynamic Wartime Port Marker overlooking the former Kaiser Shipyard 3.
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riggers loft (with paint and sheet metal shop), first-aid station, and cafeteria.
Thanks, now goodbye!
In 1945 when the war ended, most of the shipyard shut down. With returning servicemen re-entering the workforce, tens of thousands of shipyard workers, many of whom were women and people of color, were laid off from their jobs.
Erected by National Park Service and East Bay Regional District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 37° 54.609′ N, 122° 22.092′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from Canal Boulevard near Seacliff Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond CA 94801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. War Boomtown (approx. ¼ mile away); Contra Costa College Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Wartime Changes (approx. ¼ mile away); Richmond Shipyards (approx. 0.3 miles away); SS Red Oak Victory (approx. 0.3 miles away); "I was truly there and did my part to the end." -- Addie Mae Cance, former shipyard worker (approx. 
Rosie the Riveter NHP, circa 1944
3. Kaiser Shipyard #3, on the bottom left, and Richmond in 1944
The Rosie the Riveter NHP Visitors Center is located in the lower center and the Rosie the Riveter Memorial is located at the righthand edge of the basin on the right.
0.4 miles away); The Ford Assembly Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Clay, Kilns & Brick (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. This marker is located at the Shipyard 3 overlook. The overlook is accessed by trail which begins from Canal Boulevard just south of the Shipyard 3 cafeteria.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
4. The former Kaiser Shipyard #3 today
The machine shop is on the right.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
5. The former Kaiser Shipyard #3 today
The general warehouse (partial) and riggers loft are on the left and the SS Red Oak Victory, one of two remaining Victory ships, is in the center.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
6. The former Kaiser Shipyard #3 today
Dry dock and graving basins.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 22, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.