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.
The flag pole in any military base becomes central to that base. It is here where a bugle calls the rising of the flag in the morning; it is here where the bugle calls the lowering of the flag in the evening.
But at Fort Mason in San Francisco, it became so much more to many of the local residents after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906.
With the local civilian officers cooperating with the base officers, it was at this flag pole where the now destitute local citizens would gather to receive food rations.
Today the flag pole is gone, replace by a circle of trees.
As seen 20 October 2022.
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