-
MOTCO Army Base Closed to NPS Memorial Tours
Restricted access MOTCO Army base is closed to all visitors planning to see the Port Chicago Naval Magazine NM. Closure dates include: April, May, June and up to the July 20th NPS comemmoration event of the explosion.
320 Americans Killed in WWII Naval Magazine Accident
On the evening of July 17, 1944, residents in the San Francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that cracked windows and lit up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theatre troops blew up. This was WWII's worst homefront disaster.
Reservations are required to visit this site.
Features
-
Trading Cards!
Kids! Learn more about Port Chicago and other civil rights stories by collecting trading cards.
Read More -
Port Chicago Naval Magazine NM Reservations
Tours are only available on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 1:30 PM. Access for tours is granted based on U.S. Army and NPS scheduling availability.
Read More -
National Memorial and National Memory
On October 28, 2009, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial became the 392nd unit of the National Park Service.
Read More -
Naval Historical Center
For more information on the 1944 Port Chicago explosion, visit the on-line Naval Historical Center at www.history.navy.mil
Read More
Did You Know?
Port Chicago National Memorial is not only a tribute to the 320 men who died in the WWII explosion, but it became the touchstone for desegrgation in the military.