by Andrea Kreidler

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

The Presidio, an army post for 3 different countries since 1776, is most known for its varied periods of architecture. Now a National Park in San Francisco, California, the Presidio preserves slices of West Coast history both within and without its walls.

Beginnings

In 740 AD, the Ohlone lived in the area where the Presidio was later built. Subsisting by hunting and gathering, the Ohlone faded after the Spaniards 1776 arrival. The Spanish built an adobe Presidio, ruling until 1821, when allegiance was changed to Mexico. Twenty-four years later, the Presidio was usurped by the U.S.

Colonial Revival

From 1880 onward, Colonial architecture became fashionable. In this style, exemplified by the Presidio's Montgomery Street barracks, buildings were made of brick with pediments and columns.

Charles Young and the Buffalo Soldiers were garrisoned at the Presidio during this time. The Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry and 9th Cavalry were African-American soldiers; Charles Young was an anomalous Commander; African-American at a time when only whites were allowed to lead troops.

Over 400 Buffalo Soldiers are buried in the Presidio's National Cemetary, occupying nearly 30 acres.

An event lasting less than a minute on April 18, 1906, decimated 500 blocks of San Francisco. This was the 1906 Earthquake, after which 30 fires raged in the street, and more than half the 400,000 inhabitants lost homes.

Troops stationed at the Presidio helped fight fires, provided medical help, and distributed food, water, and supplies (including 58,000 shoes). Troops quelled looting in the streets.

Mission Revival

Mission Revival style dominated the time period 1910-1940. This style imitated old missions with flat stucco surfaces. In 1915, a smaller-scale tragedy occurred. A fire from an unattended fireplace at the Presidio broke out, claiming General John J. Pershing's wife and three daughters. Two years later, the Presidio built an onsite fire department. the first ever for any U.S. Army Post.

A happier 1915 event was the Panama-International Exposition. The U.S. and 31 nations built exhibit halls at the Presidio's bayfront, joined by 47 miles of walkway. The Exposition included a working model of the Panama Canal and full-scale replica of Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn. Each night, 48 spotlights lit up the sky. After 9 months, the Exposition closed and the lavish exhibits were torn down.

Italian Renaissance Revival

Between 1920 and 1940, buildings built at the Presidio had flat roofs and boxy shapes. Crissy Field, named after Major Dana Crissy, killed in a crash, was erected in this era. It was the first Air Coast Defense Station on the Pacific Coast. In 1924, a successful dawn-to-dusk transcontinental flight terminated at Crissy Field. Crissy Field eventually closed in 1974.

World War II Era

Quick and simple construction was the key to 1940's Presidio buildings. During World War II, the Presidio was vital in the defense of the Western United States, including Alaska. As well, the Presidio's hospital, Letterman, tended to many wounded-75,000 in 1945.

Though the Presidio ceased to function as an Army Post in 1994, history lives on in the buildings, 473 of which are designated as historic.

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