Piers at the former Port of Embarkation are now occupied by the non-profit Fort Mason Center. Photo courtesy of National Trust for Historic Preservation

Although Fort Mason was originally established as a coastal fortification in the 1860s, it is best remembered as headquarters of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation between 1910 and 1963. During World War II, Liberty ships built in Bay Area shipyards were constantly ferrying troops to the immense pier and dock system at Lower Fort Mason, ultimately transporting 1.6 million troops and 23 million tons of cargo to the Pacific theater through the port administered facilities. New York Times Magazine commented at the time that, "This port has one main commodity to send abroad. It is exporting war." "From the early days of the campaigns in the Southwest Pacific, when men and supplies available to reinforce our position were but a trickle, to the time when with added resources we were enabled to mount offensive operations with increasing violence," wrote General Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. Army's San Francisco Port of Embarkation and its subsidiary Oakland Army Terminal, "gave magnificently of their full support--support which in no small measure contributed to the victorious march which carried our arms to the heart of the Japanese Empire."

Herbst Pavilion, a popular venue for live theater, exhibits and festivals; and the former Port of Embarkation Headquarters (1902), now serves as headquarters for the Golden Gate NRA Photos courtesy of National Trust for Historic Preservation

Lower Fort Mason is a large complex of warehouses and piers, built between 1910 and 1914 to supply Army bases across the Pacific. Their red-tiled roofs and white stucco facades evoke Spanish Colonial architecture on a grand scale. Lower Fort Mason is now the Fort Mason Center, serving the community as a cultural center and office space for non-profit organizations ranging from theaters and ethnic museums to art galleries and environmental advocacy groups. It is this section of Fort Mason , know as San Francisco Port of Embarkation, U.S. Army, that has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

"NO FLAGS FLY--San Francisco's famous skyline and waterfront--the first view of home seen by returning fighting men--show no flags of welcome for the veterans. Only the San Francisco Port of Embarkation has prepared for the returnees by erecting huge 'welcome home' signs--the city has not yet done its share." c. 1945 Photo courtesy of San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

By contrast, Upper Fort Mason features dozens of smaller-scale historic buildings, among them the former Port of Embarkation Headquarters (1902), now Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Headquarters; the Mission Revival-style Chapel; Civil War-era barracks now occupied by the San Francisco International Youth Hostel; and McDowell Hall (1855), once home to commanding officers and, until very recently, the Officers' Club (1943-2003). The Construction Quartermaster's Office and the Post Headquarters building (FM101) was constructed on the eve of America's entry into World War II, and amidst other changes, an additional group of seven sets of officers' quarters was added to the southern portion of Fort Mason around 1941.

Pallet board load of supplies bound for the Pacific going over the side of a freighter at the Fort Mason Port of Embarkation, c. 1945 Photo courtesy of San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

Fort Mason is located between Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge on San Francisco Bay, in San Francisco's Marina district. The entrance to Fort Mason Center is at the intersection of Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St.; parking is found immediately to your right after entering. The main office is open Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm. For further information please visit the Fort Mason Center's website or call 415-441-3400. Fort Mason has also been documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey.