Presidio Garrison

• Historic Origins: The Presidio Garrison, originally established by the Spanish in 1776, is one of the oldest continually operated military posts in the United States, predating American independence. • Spanish to American Control: After the Mexican-American War in 1846, the Presidio Garrison was taken over by the United States Army, marking a pivotal transition from Spanish and then Mexican rule. • Civil War Role: During the American Civil War, the Presidio served as a key staging ground for Union troops sent to secure California and the West Coast from Confederate threats. • World War II Hub: The Presidio Garrison played a critical role in World War II as the headquarters for the Western Defense Command, orchestrating coastal defenses and overseeing Japanese American internment orders. • Buffalo Soldiers: African American regiments known as "Buffalo Soldiers" were stationed at the Presidio in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the protection and expansion of national parks. • Earthquake Response: After the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Presidio troops were instrumental in rescue operations, fire fighting, and maintaining law and order in the city. • Crissy Field: Part of the Presidio, Crissy Field was established as a military airfield in 1921 and was a critical early base for Army aviation experiments and coastal defense. • Medical Milestone: The Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio became one of the largest military hospitals in the country, treating wounded soldiers from the Spanish-American War through the Vietnam War. • Cold War Activities: During the Cold War, the Presidio Garrison housed intelligence and defense units, including the Sixth Army headquarters, playing a role in continental defense. • Transition to National Park: In 1994, the Presidio Garrison was decommissioned as an active military post, becoming part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and transforming into a unique blend of historic site, park, and urban community.