Fort Scott: Coast Artillery Headquarters

Mission revival buildings of Fort Scott.

The white Mission Revival buildings across Lincoln Boulevard are part of Fort Scott, an army post built in the Presidio around 1912. Prior to Fort Scott's completion, Coast Artillery soldiers lived at the Montgomery Street Barracks at the Presidio's Main Post, a good thirty minute march from where they performed their duties at the guns. Fort Winfield Scott significantly shortened their morning commute.

Between 1922 and 1946, the fort was the designated headquarters of the Coast Defenses of San Francisco, commanding other coast artillery forts in the area, like Fort Barry and Fort Baker across the Golden Gate.

After the Pearl Harbor attack, the Army considered a Japanese invasion a real possibility and stationed soldiers at the coastal batteries 24 hours a day. Fort Scott became a place where shift-weary soldiers could enjoy a little rest and relaxation.