usa travel pal

States

National Parks

Cheap Flights to Asia

Pictures of Top Cities

Hotels

Popular State Guides

Free Traveling Guides » States » California » San Francisco

Presidio

The Presidio of San Francisco is a large park formerly operated by the Spanish and US armies but more recently converted into a National Historic Landmark District. It covers an area of 1,491 acres (604 ha), making it the largest park in San Francisco, 317 acres larger than Golden Gate Park. Well-preserved army barracks and artillery emplacements can be found throughout. The Presidio also has a museum which explains much of its history as well as that of San Francisco.

History

In 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza established the Presidio as a Spanish fort.
In 1821, Mexico gained control of the Presidio, following their independence from Spain.
In 1846, the US Military seized the Presidio.
In 1848, the Presidio was officially opened as a US Army base.
In 1861, Fort Point was completed.
In 1898, the Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC) was established in the Presidio.
From 1898 to 1906, the Presidio became involved in the Spanish-American War and Phillipine-American War.
From 1917 to 1918, the Presidio was expanded during World War I and was used for recruiting, training, and deploying units.
From 1920 to 1932, the Presidio used its newly-developed Crissy Field for military aviation.
From 1941 to 1946, the Presidio became actively involved in World War II. The Letterman Army Hospital became filled with casualties.
From 1961 to 1973, the Presidio filled a supporting role in the Vietnam War. Though antiwar demonstrations were held at the Presidio gates, thousands of civilians volunteered to help wounded soldiers at the Letterman Army Hospital.
In 1991, the Presidio sent its last few remaining units to Desert Storm, to fight in the first Gulf War.
In 1994, the Presidion was transferred to the National Park Service.

Top 5 National Parks

All 58 national parks.