San Francisco - Fort Point

Pictures enlarge if you click on them.Fort Point protected San Francisco harbor from Confederate & foreign attack during & after the U.S. Civil War.

Catherine near Fort Point with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Catherine with Alcatraz Island in the background

Fort Point and Golden Gate Bridge

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on Fort Point in 1853. Plans specified that the lowest tier of artillery be as close as possible to the water level so cannonballs could ricochet across the water's surface to hit enemy ships at the waterline. Workers blasted the 90-foot cliff down to 15 feet above sea level.

Plans for the Golden Gate Bridge in the 1930's called for the fort's removal, but Chief Engineer Joseph Strauss redesigned the bridge to save the fort. "While the old fort has no military value now," Strauss said, "it remains nevertheless a fine example of the mason's art....It should be preserved and restored as a national monument."

Surfers near the Fort Point

Another surfer

Inside of Fort Point

Golden Gate Bridge over Fort Point

Inside Fort Point

View of San Francisco from Fort Point

View of Angel Island from Fort Point

View of Alcatraz Island from Fort Point

Catherine pointing to Baker Beach

Here you can see paint from the Golden Gate Bridge that is dripped all over the fort.

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