Grey sky view, to advection fog over San Francisco Bay, cars parked by Fort Point below South Abutment pylon, Golden Gate Bridge
An information board at Fort Point reads: 'Fort Point is the only brick fort on the West Coast of the United States. Built by the United States Army between 1853 and 1861, it defended the San Francisco harbor against invasion by foreign powers. This fort is a classic example of early 19th century coastal fortifications. The Civil War broke out shortly after the fort's completion. Advances in technology during the war, such as rifled artillery and iron-clad ships, made it less effective as a defense. Still, it defended the harbor another thirty years before the fort's cannons were removed in the 1890s. In the 1930s engineers used Fort Point as their Headquarters when building the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, during World War 2, it defended the harbor against enemy submarines. In 1970 Congress made Fort Point a National Historic Site, part of the National Park System.' Three tiers of casemates (vaulted rooms housing cannons) rise above the parade ground. There was also a roof-top barbette tier, with additional guns and a sod covering to absorb the impact of enemy cannon fire. Fort Point never fired its guns in anger. 19th century artillery pieces are displayed at the site. A view from the South Abutment of the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge engineers incorporated Fort Point into the bridge design by building a steel arch over between two concrete pylons.
Size: 3126px × 3390px
Location: South Abutment, Golden Gate Bridge, above Fort Point, San Francisco, California, USA
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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