NPS Features Historic Site

Fort Point National Historic Site, National Park Service Photo

SAN FRANCISCO – Monuments speak.  “Paris,” proclaims the Eiffel Tower
silhouetted against the city’s skyline.  “Sydney!” exclaims the white
“fins” of the city’s opera house.  And, there’s no mistaking “San
Francisco,” as soon as the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view.

While symbols help us communicate and even reassure us, we know that a
place like the City by the Bay can’t be reduced to an iconic structure.  In
fact, right beneath the expansive orange bridge is a lesser-known
attraction that quietly offers both American history and scenic vistas to
feed visitors’ minds and eyes.

Erected between 1853 and 1861, Fort Point exemplifies the Third System
style of architecture used to fortify American harbors after the War of
1812.  The fort was to be one of several that would defend San Francisco
Bay in case of a threat from abroad.  Meant to safeguard mineral wealth in
the American West, the fort was strengthened during the Civil War, when
activity on Vancouver Island raised concerns that Britain might try to take
control of California while internal conflict beset the United States.
Today, re-enactments bring the era of the Civil War back to Fort Point
National Historic Site, which also holds cannon drills and candlelight
tours.

Once a protector of Sierra Nevada gold and Nevadan silver during its former
military days, Fort Point now freely shares visual treasures with all
national park visitors The landscape of the Marin Headlands and views of
San Francisco and the City’s bay will dazzle local residents making weekend
excursions and out-of-town visitors enjoying longer trips to the area.
Come and see the land and water, and even, if you glance upward, the famedGolden Gate, from the historic fort below the bridge.

Each week, www.nps.gov/getaways features a national park to help people
find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends.
Previous getaways include Mississippi National River and Recreation Area,
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, George Washington Carver
National Monument, Hampton National Historic Site, Cuyahoga Valley National
Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boston National Historical Park,
North Cascades National Park, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument,
and Prince William Forest Park.

To find your national park adventure visit www.nps.gov.

Tags: California, Fort Point, Getaways, Historic, National Park Service, NHS, NPS, Press Release, San Francisco

This entry was posted on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pm and is filed under Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.