Western Tunnel Portal Under Fort Mason Center San Francisco 1 Stock 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.This single track railroad under Fort Mason, which opened in 1914, was built to bring people and goods to Fort Mason, for the Panama Pacific Exposition, that was being held there in 1915.Although the fort was a Port of Embarkation going back to the Spanish American War in 1898, it was improved and enlarged for use during WW2.Looking at the Western Portal as seen 20 October 2022.