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Located on the threshold of the scenic Golden Gate, San Francisco's famous Presidio offers visitors an abundance of sights and activities to explore and enjoy.

The Presidio has a long and fascinating history. Archaeologists have found evidence that the site has been occupied since ancient times. The Ohlone/Costanoan people flourished in the area as far back as 740 A.D. When the Spanish arrived, the Ohlone/Costanoan culture was devastated. Descendants of the Ohlone are currently working with the National Park Service to restore ancestral sites and preserve their cultural heritage.

In 1776, Spain was actively colonizing Alta California. Captain Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition of more than 200 settlers on a 1,200 mile trek from the Sonoran desert, in present-day Arizona, to San Francisco. They built a garrison, El Presidio, which remained in Spanish hands until the Mexican Revolution in 1821. The Presidio was then occupied by the Mexican Republic until 1846, when the US took control during the Mexican American War.

The Presidio served as the main military installation defending the West Coast of the United States for nearly 150 years, from the Civil War era through the Cold War.

General John J. Pershing led troops from the Presidio on an attack against outlaw Pancho Villa in 1914. During WWII, the Presidio played an important role as headquarters for the Western Defense Command, and 1,750,000 troops were shipped out from Fort Mason.

In the aftermath of the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, thousands of refugees flocked to the Presidio, where they were provided with food, shelter and medical assistance.

Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1962, the history of the Presidio is revealed through its architecture; its 469 historic buildings reflect architectural styles as they changed over the years.

During the Civil War era, two popular architectural styles were Greek Revival, based on the style of Greek temples, and Italianate, reminiscent of Northern Italian villas.

The English Queen Anne style was in vogue in the mid-19th century, followed by Colonial Revival, a design that evokes the architecture of colonial New England.

After the turn of the century, the Mission Revival brought back the style of Spanish missions with red tile roofs and stucco walls. Mediterranean and Italian Renaissance Revival were in favor from the 1920s to the 1940s.

The army closed the Presidio as a military base in 1994, and it was turned over to the National Park Service. In addition to the historical buildings, the Presidio features nature trails, a 300-acre forest, golf course, National Cemetery, and historic gardens. An exciting archaeology program maintains a collection of thousands of artifacts, and is working to uncover more treasures from the past.

For those interested in becoming more involved, there are numerous volunteer opportunities. Excavating archaeological sites, maintaining trails, restoring natural habitat, or training as a docent are just a few possibilities.

Whether you are visiting for the day or volunteering on a regular basis, the Presidio is a prime San Francisco attraction, rich in history and culture.

References:
http://www.presidio.gov/
http://www.nps.gov/archive/prs f/home.htm

Learn more about this author, Terrie Schultz.
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