Fort Funston
Fort Funston (1917-1975) - Established in Dec 1900 and initially named Lake Merced Military Reservation. Construction as a coastal fort did not begin until Feb 1917. The post was renamed Fort Funston for Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston, a Medal of Honor recipient, a legendary figure in the Philippine insurrection and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Fort Funston History
Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.
World War I
The original 45 acre land purchase for Lake Merced Military Reservation in 1900 was made with the intent of building two Endicott Period mortar batteries on the land. The construction never took place and it was not until 1917, during World War I, that construction of the mortar Battery Howe began. The post was expanded to the south in 1917 with an additional 150 acres and wooden frame buildings were built to support the cadre.
Post World War I
In 1919 a 5" two gun Battery Bruff was built and abandoned. In 1925 an Anti-Aircraft battery was added and in 1935 the massive Battery Davis was begun with two casemated 16" Naval guns. In 1937 Battery Bluff was begun with mounts for four 155mm rapid fire guns in Panama Mounts.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Davis (2) | 2 | 16" | LR Barbette Carriage in Casemate | 1936-1940-1940-1948 | Navy Guns |
| Battery Howe (2) | 4 | 12" | Mortar | 1917-1918-1919-1945 | Mortars from Battery McKinnon Fort Winfield Scott (2) |
| Battery Bruff | 2 | 5" | Pedestal | 1917-1918-1919-1920 | Guns from Battery Sherwood Fort Winfield Scott (2) |
| Source: CDSG | |||||
World War II
During World War II several mobile gun installations were placed around the fixed batteries as Anti-Aircraft protection.
Cold War
During the Cold War the post housed several components of the SF-59 and SF-61 Nike Missile system.
Current Status
The original cantonment area was transferred to the City and County of San Francisco, a portion was retained by the Department of the Army and permitted to the California National Guard for the housing of an Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. In 1975 the City of San Francisco signed over their portion of the property to the National Park Service with provisions that they would keep it as an "open space necessary to urban environment and planning" and the area became a part of the regional Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
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Location: Lake Merced Maps & Images Lat: 37.71859 Long: -122.500906 |
Sources:
- Military Museum
- Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
- 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 68
Links:
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Fort Funston Picture Gallery
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