Fort Funston Balloon Hangar (site) (San Francisco, California)

 military, First World War 1914-1918, aircraft hangar, historical layer / disappeared object

Former site of Fort Funston's balloon hangar. In an era before radar, manned balloons were used to direct artillery fire. The equipment consisted of a Type C-3 tethered observation balloon, a type A-7 spherical “free” balloon, a portable hydrogen generator, numerous vehicles, mooring winches, and a maze of ground tackle and rigging equipment. A surviving example of a WWI-era balloon hangar exists at nearby Fort Barry. It is currently being used by the Presidio Riding Stables. Another exists at Fort Worden, Port Townsend, Washington.

4th Balloon Squadron, 14th Balloon Company was assigned to Fort Funston on April 20, 1920 and departed in 1921 when all of the balloon companies were removed from the Harbor Defenses of San Francisco.

www.nps.gov/goga/historyculture/upload/1Balloon%20Hanga...