General Information: Construction of Battery Marcus Miller started in 1891, before all others of the Endicott-era Harbor Defense San Francisco system. Ten platforms for 15-inch Rodman cannons of the post Civil War-era Battery West were removed to accommodate the new battery. Construction of the battery was put on hold, pending determination of which type of "disappearing carriage" the government would adopt, and it was not armed until 1897, when three 10-inch guns on disappearing carriages were mounted. These guns were to protect the San Francisco Bay from seaward attack. They had a range of 7 miles. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Battery "E", Third Artillery, from Fort Mason was ordered to maintain the battery and to prepare it for action. This battery was treated for some years as part of Battery Cranston, and for awhile was called "Battery Cranston 2." However, that terminology proved unsatisfactory, and in October 1907 the three emplacements were designated as Battery Marcus Miller. The guns were removed in 1920. Origin of Name: Battery Marcus Miller was named in honor of Brigadier General Marcus Miller, Artillery. He was a West Point graduate and fought in the Civil War, the Modoc War, and the Nez Perce War. In 1898 he was the commanding officer of the Presidio of San Francisco. Access and Current Condition: The battery is located at the Presidio on the coastal bluffs adjacent to the Golden Gate toll plaza. It can be reached via Lincoln Boulevard to Merchant Road. Parking is available along Merchant road in the gravel parking area. The Coastal Trail runs adjacent to the gun battery. Access to the interior magazines is not allowed. Encroaching vegetation was recently removed from around the battery and preservation work to stabilize it is in progress.
Blue Print
Image of 10 inch gun firing.
Present day view of battery.