Ft. Mason, Lower Reservation (San Francisco, California)

 NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, closed / former military, historic district, U.S. National Historic Landmark

Set apart from public domain in 1850. Post established in 1863 as Camp at San Jose Point. Redesignated Fort Mason in 1882 in honor of Col. Richard B. Mason, veteran of various Indian campaigns and the War with Mexico.

Before the Spanish American War, half of Fort Mason was sand dunes. As America's influence radiated across the Pacific - to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and China - the Army filled in a shallow cove and constructed three piers and four concrete warehouses.

Fort Mason became the Army's supply and transportation center for the Pacific.

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor brought America and Fort Mason into World War II. Fort Mason served as the headquarters for the San Francisco Port Embarkation (SFPOE) which funneled supplies and troops to the Pacific Theater of war Over 1 ½ million passengers and 23 million ship tons of cargo (one ship ton equally 40 cubic feet) left the SFPOE, Fort Mason was a scene of constant activity with buildings squeezed into every available space. Liberty Ships lined the piers as they were stuffed to capacity for their Pacific voyage. These same "ugly ducklings" brought home our soldiers and supplies at the end of the war. Today, the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien, docked at Pier 3, is a proud reminder of the past and is open to the general public.

Fort Mason's piers were also active through the Korean War and the early 1960's.

Formerly home to the Headquarters, US Army Transport Service from 1919 to 1941, the Headquarters, San Francisco Port of Embarkation, the 4th Motor Repair Battalion from 1922 to 1931, and a Detachment, 8th Signal Service Company.

www.militarymuseum.org/Pt%20San%20Jose.html