Troops at Fort Winfield Scott

Barracks at Fort Scott

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, TASC Negatives Collection, GOGA 35301

The name Fort Winfield Scott was originally given to the old Brick Fort at the entrance to the San Francisco bay, also known as the Fort at Fort Point. Winfield Scott was the Commander and chief of the US Army at the beginning of the Civil War.
In 1901 congress authorized the creation of the artillery corp, which included a coast artillery corp. By1907 it was suggested that the Presidio of San Francisco should be expanded. One important aspect of the report detailed the need for an independent coast artillery post. For more than 20 years, beginning in the 1890's, the the army sought to create a post for coast artillery, and harbor defenses. The project began in 1902 and was finally finished in 1912. This fort took the name Fort Winfield Scott, that the old brick fort was not using. The buildings were designed in mission revival architecture adapted for military use. By 1910 the coast artillery corp began occupying the new buildings, the post was fully occupied by 1912. Following World War II the defensive focus changed to antiaircraft defense, and in 1946 Fort Winfield Scott became a subfort of the Presidio. Traditional coastal defense had become obsolete in 1948 and Fort Winfield Scott became the headquarters for 30th artillery group (antiaircraft)

 

 

Images within these albums may be used for any legitimate non-commercial public or press use with proper credit given to the National Park Service. If you have any questions or additional information on these images, please contact the Park Archives and Records Center’s reference archivist at 415-561-2807 or e-mail us.