Fort McDowell (1)

Fort McDowell

Fort McDowell (1) (1863-1946) - Established 12 Sep 1863 during the U.S. Civil War under the supervision of Col. Rene De Russey, U.S. Army Engineers as Camp Reynolds named after Maj. Gen. John Reynolds. Name was changed to Fort McDowell in 1900 after Gen. Irvin McDowell in 1900. Abandoned by the Army in 1946.

Fort McDowell (1) History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

U.S. Civil War

Camp Reynolds was established on Angel Island in 1863 during the U.S. Civil War to defend San Francisco harbor.

Three batteries were constructed:

• Battery Point Stuart (1863-18??)
• Battery Point Knox (1863-18??)
• Battery Point Blunt (1865-1866)

Endicott Period

In 1898 Battery Knox Point (1898-1900) was established as a temporary battery. In 1900 Fort McDowell was established on the east side of Angel Island and three Endicott batteries were accepted for service.

Fort McDowell (1) Endicott Period Battery (edit list)

Battery Click on Battery links below	No.	Caliber	Type Mount	Service Years	Battery Cost	Notes
Battery Drew	1	8"	Barbette	1898-1898-1900-1917	$ 34,837
Battery Wallace (1)	1	8"	Disappearing Carriage	1899-1900-1900-1917	$ 40,420
Battery Ledyard	2	5"	Barbette	1900-1900-1900-1916	$ 20,045	Guns & Carriages to Battery Call, Fort Miley
Source: CDSG

World War II

During World War II three Anti Torpedo Motor Boat (AMTB) batteries were contemplated but were deferred as the outcome of the war became clear.

Fort McDowell World War II Battery (edit list)

Battery Click on Battery links below	No.	Caliber	Type Mount	Service Years	Notes
Battery AMTB Blunt	2	90mm	AMTB	Deferred
Battery AMTB Knox	2	40mm	AMTB	Deferred
Battery AMTB Cove	2	40mm	AMTB	Deferred
Source: CDSG

Current Status

The island was declared a California State Park in 1963 and was opened to the public. Historic buildings at Camp Reynolds and Fort McDowell still stand and a restored officer's quarters is open to the public.

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Location: Angel Island, San Francisco, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.86278 Long: -122.42167 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 33'

Sources:

• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 32-33
• Frazer, Robert W., Forts of the West, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1965, ISBN 0-8061-1250-6, page 25-26
• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
• Kent, Matthew W., Harbor Defenses of San Francisco - A Field Guide 1890 to 1950, Copyright 2009, Blurb, ISBN 978-1-61584-163-9, page 126

Links:

• California Military Museum
• Official State Site

Visited: No

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