by Mary Gindling

Created on: October 31, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

In 1776, as the fledgling colonies on the east coast of what would become the United States were busy declaring their freedom from England, a Spaniard named Juan Baurista de Anza led a priest, 193 colonists and soldiers, and a herd of cattle into the area that became known as San Francisco Bay. There he established a garrison called El Presidio de San Francisco as the northernmost military reservation in Spanish California.

The garrison at El Presidio was responsible for protecting the settlers and aiding the establishment of communities in the area. It usually had a population of only 200 to 400 residents, including women and children, and was generally poorly supplied. The land in the area was too poor to produce much food, and if it was lucky, the tiny garrison saw one supply ship each year.

In 1821, following the revolution that created the Mexican Republic, the garrison switched its allegiance to Mexico. The Mexican government opened its ports in 1821, and Russian, English and American traders began visiting the area to trade for furs, cattle hides and tallow. Then, in 1835, the Presidio was temporarily abandoned, and the garrison's adobe walls crumbled under the onslaught of winter rains. Six 17th century bronze cannons cast in Lima, Peru, can still be seen at the Presidio as a reminder of its Spanish beginnings.

In 1846 the Presidio was again occupied, this time by American soldiers, who set about repairing its crumbling buildings. President Millard Fillmore signed an executive order creating a permanent military reservation at the Presidio in 1850, and over the next years, and particularly at the beginning of the Civil War, the outpost began its transformation into a major military installation. A large-scale beautification project was begun in the 1880s.

The Presidio has played a major part in nearly every major U.S. conflict, including wars in the Philippines, actions against Pancho Villa, and both World Wars, and gave significant aid to civilians following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The Presidio was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and in 1989, it was closed as an Army post by Congress. Then, in 1994, the National Park Service took over and has maintained and operated this historic site ever since.

There are more than 790 buildings at the Presidio, of which 473 are designated as historic structures. They stand as a unique collection of historic military architecture representing over 200 years of continuous development. These buildings are all restored and kept in immaculate condition.

The fire station, the home of the first permanent fire company on an Army post, was built following a fire that killed four members of General John (Black Jack) Pershing's family. The Presidio also boasts a significant museum featuring numerous displays of military and other historic collections including memorabilia celebrating the famous men associated with the post, such as Frederick Funston, General John L. DeWitt, General Pershing, and many others.

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