Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

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Largest Homeland Disaster during World War II

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 the munitions ships they were loading with ammunition for the Pacific theatre troops blew up.

Reservations are required to visit this site.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Reservation Information

Port Chicago is currently open for tours through February 25, 2012. Please contact us for reservations.

Tours are only available on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 1:30 PM.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is located in a restricted access area controlled by the U.S. Army (MOTCO). Access is granted by the U.S. Army and tours are given based on NPS availability. MOTCO is subject to closure at anytime, before or during your scheduled visit.

The following information must be submitted from each visitor for security clearance at least two weeks in advance:

Full Name
Gender
Date of Birth
Government Issued ID number (State Driver's License or Identification Card). This ID must accompany each visitor on the day of visit.
Phone Number

Please email your information to:

e-mail us

Questions? Call 925-288-8860 Ext 6520

Black & white photo of African-American US Navy sailors loading munitions onto rail cars at Port Chicago depot in Concord, California

National Memorial and National Memory

On October 28, 2009, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial became the 392nd unit of the National Park Service. Many years in coming, we are so pleased that we have been chosen as the latest park for U.S. citizens to visit.

Port Chicago National Memorial is about many things. It's about the tragedy of loss of life. It's about discrimination, segregation and the very beginnings of civil rights for all Americans. It's also about the coming together as a nation to learn from our past mistakes. Please take the extra time and energy and come visit Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.

Read a NY TIMES article about the site.

Naval Historical Center

For more information on the 1944 Port Chicago explosion, visit the on-line Naval Historical Center at www.history.navy.mil

Sailors unloading ammo.

Use this on-line resource to learn about the 1944 explosion at Port Chicago.

It is a 20-minute segment that ran on NPR/ "This American Life" in 1996, part of a program hour titled "The Job That Takes Over Your Life"

It uses interview material from 5 survivors including Freddie Meeks and Joe Smalls.

The Port Chicago 50: An Oral History was produced by Dan Collison and Long Haul Productions. Gary Covino was the editor. Special thanks to Albert Williams, Freddie Meeks, Joseph Small, Percy Robinson and Robert Routh.

Write to

Port Chicago Naval Magazine NM
4202 Alhambra Ave.
Martinez, CA 94553

E-mail Us

Phone

Information & Reservations
(925) 228-8860 ext. 6520

Administration
(510) 232-1542

Fax

(925) 838-9471

Climate

The Memorial is along the Carquinez Straits waterway and is often windy. From April to October is it mostly dry with mild to warm temperatures (65-100 F). From November to March there can be periods of rain with cool to mild temperatures (45-65 F). There are no indoor facilities. Dressing in layers and comfortable footwear is suggested.

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