Fort Mason (2)
Fort Mason (2) (1852-1975) - Established as a military reservation by President Millard Filmore in 1850-1851 and unoccupied by troops until 1863. Originally known as Point San Jose military reservation, the fort was renamed Fort Mason 25 Nov 1882, after Col. Richard Barnes Mason, 1st U.S. Dragoons, the second military governor of California.
Fort Mason (2) History
Fort Mason split into the upper area, called Upper Fort Mason, which is situated on a headland and was the site of the original coastal fortifications. Lower Fort Mason, is situated close to water level and is the site of the former military port, with its piers and warehouses.
U.S. Civil War
Temporary wartime structures were constructed in 1864 during the U.S. Civil War at Point San Jose military reservation. A wall of brick and mounts for six 10-inch (250 mm) Rodman cannons and six 42-pounder guns were constructed. The well-preserved remains of the western-half of the battery were excavated and restored to its original U.S. Civil War condition.
Spanish American War
Two gun batteries were established during and after the Spanish American War at Fort Mason. Battery Spanish War mounted 2, 8" converted Rodman rifles and Battery Burnham mounted 1, 8" disappearing gun and carriage.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Burnham | 1 | 8" | Disappearing | 1899-1900-1900-1909 | $ 32,138 | Gun & carriage to Battery Ord, Fort Columbia 1909 |
| Battery Spanish War | 2 | 8" | Barbette | 1898-1900-1900-1910 | $ ? | Converted Rodman rifles |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War II
Fort Mason was the headquarters of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation during World War II. From this port 1,647,174 passengers and 23,589,472 tons of supplies moved into the Pacific. The highest passenger count was logged in August 1945 when 93,986 outbound passengers were loaded.
Korean War
Fort Mason was active during the Korean War and in 1955 the San Francisco Port of Embarkation was renamed the U.S. Army Transportation Terminal Command Pacific. In 1965 the headquarters was moved to the Oakland Army Terminal and the Fort fell into disuse but remained a military installation until 1962.
Current Status
The National Park Service took over the site in 1972 as a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). A portion of the site, known as the Fort Mason Center, is devoted to nonprofit and cultural activities.
The National Parks Service headquarters for both the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park are located in Fort Mason.
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Location: Black Point, San Francisco, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.807778 Long: -122.429722 |
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 76-77
- Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
- Wikipedia
- California Military Museum
Links:
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Fort Mason (2) Picture Gallery
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