Fort Mason in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Congressman Phillip Burton
1926-1983
Powerful, profane, brilliant, fierce—think about Phil Burton and you have to think in big, dramatic terms. He wasn't a moderate man. Elected to Congress from San Francisco in 1964, he fought for workers' rights, for seniors and people with disabilities, for the impoverished and underprivileged. Once convinced that creating national parks close to where people live would improve their lives, he fought for park legislation. He fought and he won.
In 1972, Phil Burton authored a bill that created this park, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He went on to author national parks and recreation acts in 1978 and 1980 that were the most expansive ever to pass Congress. The 1978 bill alone more than doubled national park lands, nearly doubled the wild and scenic river system, and tripled the number of national trails.
Look out toward the Golden Gate. You can enjoy stunning landscapes and historic landmarks on both sides of the bridge because Phil Burton protected them from development. Across the country, you can visit wondrous and significant sites because Burton's vision forever influenced the way we, as a nation, view, value, and preserve our natural and cultural heritage.
"Phillip Burton was a great intellect and a passionate voice for workers, the poor, the elderly and people with disabilities, and was a protector of human rights and the environment. Through his work, the world has been endowed with a lasting legacy of gifts. Years from now, people will continue to benefit from his dedication to a better future."
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
His Unmatched Legacy
Some of the many sites created or expanded through legislation sponsored by Phil Burton
National Historic Sites Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site, Georgia • Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Maryland • Boston African American National Historic Site, Massachusetts • Women's Rights National Historical Park, New York • Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico • Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Hawaii • War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam • Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina • Georgia O'Keeffe National Historic Site, New Mexico • Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site, Pennsylvania • Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, Massachusetts • Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana • Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland and West Virginia
National Parks and Preserves Channel Islands, California • Denali, Alaska • Lake Clark, Alaska • Gates of the Arctic, Alaska • Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska • Yukon-Charley Rivers, Alaska • Kenai Fjords, Alaska • Biscayne, Florida
National Trails Oregon National Historic Trail • Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail • Continental Divide National Historic Trail • Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail • Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail • Iditarod National Historic Trail
National Recreation Areas Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia • Gateway National Recreation Area, New York
National Seashore Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Memorials Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. • National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington, D.C. • Albert Einstein Memorial, Washington, D.C. • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 37° 48.3′ N, 122° 25.74′ W. Marker was in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It was in Fort Mason. Marker was on MacArthur Avenue west of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is at the edge of the Great Meadow, between the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Headquarters building and Building 101. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94123, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Phillip Burton (a few steps from this marker); Golden Gate National Recreation Area Legislation (a few steps from this marker); San Francisco Port of Embarkation (1932-1962) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Mason Historic District (about 600 feet away); San Francisco Port of Embarkation (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Mason Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brigantine Galilee (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. Marker was replaced with HMdb marker #168859.
Also see . . .
1. Phillip Burton. Wikipedia article (Submitted on April 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. BURTON, Phillip. History, Art & Archives page of the United States House of Representatives (Submitted on April 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Congressman Phillip Burton. Golden Gate National Recreation Area web page (Submitted on April 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 6, 7. submitted on August 16, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California.