Last updated: March 3, 2021
Place
9 - San Francisco Port of Embarkation
WAYSIDE PANEL TITLE: San Francisco Port of Embarkation
PANEL DESCRIPTION: The wayside faces northwest and is placed along the side of the large asphalt path that slopes downwards to the great meadow. It is under the shade of Monterrey cypress.
VIEW FROM WAYSIDE: The wayside overlooks lower Fort Mason. It is composed of a large accessible parking lot, five landmark buildings labeled A through E, and three piers with large warehouse buildings. The three piers are: Pier 1, Pier 2 or the Herbst Pavilion, and Pier 3 or the Festival Pavilion. All of the buildings are cream colored with red roofs. Red staircases allow access the second and third stories of the pier buildings. Large, garage-like doors allow for ease of loading and assembly. In the distance, there is a view of Crissy Field, the Presidio, and the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a sign that says Fort Mason Center and points directly ahead, down a steep set of stairs that are to your right. The sign reads: Buildings A through E, Pavilions slash Piers 1 through 3, and Programs and Events. There is a trashcan and recycle bin a few feet to your left. The asphalt path continues on in this direction towards the Great Meadow. Behind you, there is a view of the Madonna Statue by Benny Bufano. "Madonna"
DESCRIPTION OF SCULPTURE: The sculpture is made from smooth granite. The figure is tall and straight, with no defined arms or legs. The face is not very detailed, but is characterized by large oval eyes, a thin nose with a sharp bridge and upturned lips forming a subtle smile. Her head is covered by a shape that may represent hair or a hood that comes down from the crown of the head to her shoulders, and melds into her back. At the base of the sculpture is a second figure made of mosaic tiles laid into the base of the Madonna. The mosaic figure is a child, much smaller than the Madonna, and only shown from the chest up. The child has dark brown hair that goes past the shoulders, and four eyes arranged in two vertical rows. The top half of the figure's face is divided by color in two quarter sections, colored purple and gold. Two hands, one darker than the other, rest on the child's shoulders. The child is wearing a white tunic with a blue broach.
TEXT: A Stepping Off Point for a New Pacific Empire
TEXT: United States interests expanded into the Pacific after annexing new territories in the Spanish American War of 1898. Fort Mason's mission shifted from defending against enemy ships to sending military ships overseas to new acquisitions like Hawaii, Guam and the Philippine Islands. By 1915, Fort Mason was the army's main depot for shipping troops and supplies to these new Pacific colonial possessions.
In 1932, the military transport operation at lower Fort Mason and several other Bay Area ports was named San Francisco Port of Embarkation (S F P E). The S F P E grew from 830 personnel in 1939 to over 30,000 employees in 1945, when they shipped more than 23 million tons of cargo and 1.65 million soldiers. These transport operations played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater war effort.
As a world power, what role should the U S play in global affairs?
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black-and-white photo of lower Fort Mason is to the right-hand side of the text. Dated 1930, it features large shipping vessels docked on either side of Fort Mason's piers. Dense and bustling, San Franciscan buildings extend over the ridgeline in the background.
CAPTION: The story of Fort Mason's port is the story of America's emergence as a world power. The piers and buildings of lower Fort Mason supported overseas operations in the Pacific from 1909 to 1962. The S F P E was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black and white photograph of lower Fort Mason in 1920. The walkways are stacked with large shipping crates, and a ship is docked at the port.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black and white photograph shows five soldiers walking up a ramp and into a small metal opening in a ship. They wear army helmets, and their backs are saddled with large sacks. The photograph is dated 1940.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black and white photograph is of military personnel in 1943. Women stand in a line at Fort Mason's parade grounds and hold their arms up in salute to the American flag. Some men with instruments stand near them and face the flag.
SIDEBAR: The Port Today.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photo of a woman standing in lower fort Mason. She wears a microphone headset, a pink jacket, and large gold sunglasses. She is holding a pink sculpture in her left hand.
TEXT: Today, lower Fort Mason has been converted into a nonprofit cultural center. A park partner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture houses dozens of art organizations and presents adventurous and engaging art exhibitions.
DESCRIPTON OF IMAGE: A photo of a woman dressed in white is below this text. She looks at a white wall, where sketches of purple fish are being projected. Portions of the sketches are projected onto her as well.
DIRECTIONS TO NEXT WAYSIDE: Continue straight and slightly downhill on the asphalt path for 215 feet. The next wayside will be on your right-hand side.