The Hidden History Behind Marin’s Military Landmarks

Marin has a military history that’s easy to drive past, whether it’s the concrete batteries dug into the Headlands, the old airfield hangars scattered across Novato or the memorials that fill San Rafael’s Avenue of the Flags. As Marin celebrates Veterans Day, we take a look at some of the places in Marin named after service members of the past. While most of these sites are named after soldiers who never set foot in Marin, they were nonetheless important contributors to the history of the US and commemorate the important role that Marin played in defending the Bay Area in the recent past. Below, find our guide to these sites honoring our veterans. Lytton Square, Mill Valley Named for: On Memorial Day in 1918, the town dedicated Lytton Square — the Redwood-shaded island in the middle of Throckmorton Avenue before Depot Plaza — to 17-year old Lytton Barber, who was Mill Valley’s first military casualty of World War I. The photo above shows the square a couple weeks later for the inaugural Women’s Dipsea Hike. History overview: It was originally created as a gathering spot around 1903 across from Mill Valley’s railroad depot, and by about 1910, the space had developed into a broad, paved section of Throckmorton Avenue with a central flagpole. When Barber passed away, his mother Beulah (a member of Mill Valley’s Outdoor Club) surely had some influence in adding a plaque to commemorate her son. Visit today: While locals still miss the Peet’s Coffee that occupied 88 Throckmorton Avenue for nearly 40 years and made the square a spillover for customers, it’s still a popular spot to gather to this day. Hamilton Field, Novato Named for: First Lieutenant Lloyd Andrews Hamilton, a World War I Army aviator awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for a raid on a German airfield in Belgium. He was killed in France in 1918, at age 24. The Army selected his name for the airfield in 1931. History overview: Construction of the air base began in 1931 on farmland that Marin bought and sold to the federal government for $1. The field opened in 1935. During World War II, it sent bombers and crew to the Pacific, and in 1945 it welcomed home the “Angels of Bataan,” 88 Army nurses freed from prison camps. It became an Air Force base in 1947 and closed in 1976. Visit today: The base’s Spanish Mission-style buildings still stand in Novato’s Hamilton neighborhood. You can visit the Hamilton Air Field History Museum , housed in the base’s old firehouse and jail. Fort Baker, Sausalito Named for: Colonel Edward Dickinson Baker, a US senator from Oregon and Union Army officer killed at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in 1861. History overview: The Army set up Fort Baker in 1897 to support the coastal defense batteries on the north side of the Golden Gate, including Battery Spencer. Most of the buildings around the parade ground went up between 1902 and 1920. During World War II, the fort was part of the Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, which laid underwater mines and kept a submarine net across the bay’s entrance. Visit today: The old officers’ homes and barracks are now Cavallo Point Lodge, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum and a US Coast Guard station are also on the grounds. Take the park’s ground walk tour (which starts near the museum), walk the restored parade ground and stop at Horseshoe Bay for views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands Named for: Major General Adelbert Cronkhite, a West Point graduate who commanded the Army’s 80th Division in France during World War I. History overview: Completed in 1941, Fort Cronkhite is the best preserved World War II “mobilization post” in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Soldiers stationed there protected San Francisco Bay from enemy attack, staffing the coastal guns that guarded the Golden Gate, including the huge 16-inch guns at nearby Battery Townsley. The Army closed the post in 1974. Visit today: Today, Fort Cronkhite’s buildings now house the Park Service, the Marine Mammal Center and Nature Bridge, but the grounds are open to exploration. Pack a picnic for Rodeo Beach then hike the coastal trail up to Battery Townsley. Fort Barry, Marin Headlands Named for: Brigadier General William Farquhar Barry (1818-1879), a Union Army artillery commander during the Civil War and the Mexican-American War. He was a famous organizer and tactician, known for organizing major Civil War armies for the Union. History overview: Built in 1908, this Endicott Period army post was built to add additional defenses to the fortifications at Fort Baker, functioning as a small self-sufficient town, and represented many Endicott-period military technology upgrades and modernizations. During World War II, the fort was part of Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, and was equipped with anti-aircraft guns. Visit today: This historic site, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation area, encompasses the military post as well as several historic batteries, including Battery Mendell and Battery Alexander. The area is full of wildlife, including the endangered Mission Blue butterfly and plants like the silver lupine. Visitors can also picnic at Battery Wallace nearby, visit the Nike Missile site or hike out to nearby Point Bonita Lighthouse. The Marin Headlands’ Historic Batteries The Marin Headlands feature a number of old military batteries which you can explore along the Batteries Loop Trail . Stop and enjoy photo ops and a chance to understand how these batteries were built. Battery Townsley Named for: Major General Clarence P. Townsley, who commanded the 30th Infantry Division in World War I and previously served as superintendent of West Point. History overview: In the late 1930s this battery housed enormous 16-inch coastal-defense guns, which along with the guns at Fort Funstun protected the entire sea approach to San Francisco. They were installed after Pearl Harbor. At the time, it represented the height of military technology, with the 68-foot guns able to fire a 2,000 pound projectile almost 25 miles. Visit today: Located half a mile from the Fort Cronhkite parking lot, it takes about 45 minutes to walk up to the top to enjoy views of Rodeo Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Battery Spencer Named for: Major General Joseph Spencer, who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. History overview: Built in the early 1890s, Battery Spencer sits atop Lime point bluff at Fort Baker. It was armed with 12-inch rifled guns (which replaced post-Civil War 15-inch cannonballs), and served as one of the San Francisco Harbor’s main defense positions from 1897–1942. Visit today: Today, it’s one of the most photographed viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge. Battery Mendell Named for: Colonel George H. Mendell, an Army engineer involved in planning and constructing military fortifications around San Francisco Bay. History overview: The first battery of Fort Barry, Battery Mendell featured 12-inch guns on a “disappearing carriage”, allowing the gun to pop into sight only when firing — a modern and state-of-the-art innovation at the time. Visit today: You can visit Battery Mendell at Fort Barry and catch views of Bird Island and the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Marin History Nextdoor