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

Defending the Golden Gate

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 15, 2016

1. Defending the Golden Gate Marker

Inscription. The Army mounted twenty-one cannon here on the barbette tier. Soldiers could aim the cannon to defend against attack from land or sea.

"Yesterday, Queen Emma and suite, of the Hawaiian Islands....visited fortifications of the harbor...The excursionists landed at the wharf and walked to Fort Point, which was thoroughly inspected, the superb band of the Second Artillery discoursing exquisite music. After the inspection the company witnessed some shell practice from the barbette battery, the target being the foot of Lime Point. The firing was exquisite - all being line shots, and one shell exploded on the east edge of the target."
Alta California October 4, 1866.

Erected by Fort Point National Historic Site Services.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 37° 48.635′ N, 122° 28.626′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. Marker can be reached from Marine Drive. The marker is mounted on the wall of Building 201 at the Fort Point National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94123, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Fort Point Light (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Defending the Golden Gate (here, next to this marker); Fort Point National Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Castillo de San Joaquin (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Point (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Golden Gate Bridge: Vision, Genius and Expert Care (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Lasting Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); All in a Day's Work (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 15, 2016

2. Defending the Golden Gate Marker

Located on the gorge side of the top floor.

Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 15, 2016

3. Photo Displayed on Marker

From the map submitted to Brigadier General George Wright by Colonel R.E. De Russy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 10, 1863.

By 1863, Fort Point cannon could sink any wooden ship that came within two miles of the cannon.

Fort Point, San Franscico, California under the Golden Gate Bridge. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 14, 2016

4. Fort Point, San Franscico, California under the Golden Gate Bridge.

View From the Top of the Fort Point. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 15, 2016

5. View From the Top of the Fort Point.

Fort Point in 1867 by Eadweard Muybridge. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, October 15, 2016

6. Fort Point in 1867 by Eadweard Muybridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.