William J Whalen Building Fort Mason San Francisco 5 Editorial Image

Fort Mason in San Francisco has history going back to the American Civil War even though no battles took place in California during this period. It did have the gold at the time which both side did want, and although the state was supplying the Union with troops, it also had a still open harbor, which the south did need. Since most of the residents of San Francisco at this time were from other countries more than there rest of this country, their ideals were to supporting and joining the Union.Privately owned by Major General John C Fremont, the land was seized by the federal government under orders by President Lincoln as it was too valuable to the war. The fort is named for Richard Mason, military governor of California before statehood, and descendent of George Mason, one of the signers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.William J Whalen 3rd, for whom the building is named in honor, was working as director of the National Parks Service for many years when President Jimmy Carter appointed him as the first Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area.This building, now the Park Service headquarters, was originally an army hospital when built in 1902.As seen 20 October 2022.