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Presidio of San Francisco Fort Scott
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Presidio of San Francisco
Fort Scott: Battery McKinnon-Stotsenberg (1898-1943)
Four 12-inch mortars
Craig Hegdahl Collection
A pit containing four 12-inch mortars
 

General Information

This Endicott-era battery was built to provide seaward defenses against enemy warships. Completed in 1898, the fortification was initially named Battery Stotsenburg and included four pits, each of which contained four 12-inch mortars. These guns had a range of eight miles as well as a 360-degree field of fire that could target beaches and land in addition to water.

In 1906, the battery was divided into two batteries of eight mortars each. The two pits to the east retained the name Battery Stotsenburg while the two western pits were renamed Battery William McKinnon. In 1917, four mortars were transferred from here to Battery Howe at Fort Funston. In 1943, the War Department ordered this and twelve other batteries salvaged because they were no longer needed.

 
Loading a 12-inch mortar
National Park Service, GGNRA
An artillery crew rams a projectile into a 12-inch mortar under the supervision of two officers. These mortars could fire a 1,040-pound projectile up to eight miles.
 

Origin of Name

Battery Stotsenburg was named in honor of Captain Stotsenburg, Sixth Cavalry, who was killed in action at Timgua, Island of Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1898.

Battery McKinnon was named in honor of Captain McKinnon, Third Cavalry, who served with distinction in the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection. He died on active duty in 1902.

 
A mortar pit at McKinnon-Stotsenberg today
National Park Service, GGNRA
Mortar pit # 2 at Battery McKinnon-Stotsenburg as it appears today.
 

Access and Current Condition

Battery Stotsenburg-McKinnon is located near Rob Hill at the Presidio, adjacent to the intersection of Washington and Compton Roads. Though access to the batteries and interior magazines is not allowed, the battery may be viewed through a chain-link fence.

 

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The 6th Army Band during Alpert's service.

Did You Know?
Herb Alpert, Grammy Award-winning bandleader of the Tijuana Brass, played in the 6th Army Band at the Presidio during the 1950's. Alpert later claimed the structure and discipline of the Army helped him with his music.
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Last Updated: January 23, 2007 at 19:06 MST