Camp Yerba Buena Island

Camp Yerba Buena Island (1868-1880) - A U.S. Army Camp first established in 1868 on Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco County, California. Turned over to the U.S. Navy in 1880. Also known as Post at Goat Island, Post on Yerba Buena Island and U.S. Quartermaster Depot, Yerba Buena Island.

History of Camp Yerba Buena Island

Established on Yerba Buena Island on 25 Mar 1868 by Captain Samuel M. Mansfield (Cullum 1972), Company D, Battalion of U.S. Engineers. Initially established to provide gun batteries in defense of the San Francisco Harbor but the batteries were never built.

An 1870 report indicates that the post was still unfinished but included two large barracks, three officer's quarters, a guard house and hospital. Company D, Battalion of U.S. Engineers was still at the post with an average strength of 116 men still engaged in the construction of the post.

The engineers departed in May 1871 and the post became U.S. Quartermaster Depot, Yerba Buena Island manned by elements of the 2nd U.S. Artillery. In May 1873 the military garrison was reduced to a small detachment and 13 civilians were hired. The small detachments continued to man the post until the last post return 11 July 1878

The post was turned over to the U.S. Navy in 1880.

Current Status

Now houses a U.S. Coast Guard Station and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge passes over the old post.

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Location: On Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 37.8136491 Long: -122.3613024 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 100
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 37-38

Links:

• North American Forts - Camp Yerba Buena Island
• Buena Island Wikipedia - Camp Yerba Buena Island
• California Military Museum - Camp Yerba Buena Island

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