Fort Point: San Francisco, California

January 18th, 2003
Fort Point is a Civil War Era fort built just before the war began. Immediately adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge, the fort guarded the entrance to the San Francisco Bay and protected California's gold from Confederate raiders. On Saturday, July 19th, the members of the Union Brigade occupy the fort as a garrison detachment. We spend a large amount of our time drilling, as soldiers in a fort during the Civil War would have done, but we also take time for activities such as letter writing and game playing that soldiers would have used to pass time. A large civilian attachment usually accompanies us, and we all take the opportunity to speak to the public whenever we can. This is a unique event because of the atmosphere of being in an actual Civil War fort. Hearing the clump of soldiers marching in unison echoing off the brick walls is a special sound for a Civil War reenacter.

Directions to Fort Point
From the North:   Proceed over the Golden Gate Bridge, staying in the furthest right lane. After passing through the roll gate, take the first available exit to the right. Continue in a circle to the right, through an underpass, through the visitor parking lot, to a stop sign (Lincoln Blvd.), then turn left onto Lincoln Blvd. Follow road for about 1/8th mile and turn left onto Long Avenue/Marine Drive. Drive to the fort.
From the South:   As you approach the Golden Gate Bridge, stay in the furthest right lane and take the "Last San Francisco Exit". Proceed through the parking lot to your right until you reach the stop sign (Lincoln Blvd.). Turn left and proceed to Long Avenue/Marine Drive and on to the fort.
From the East:   It is best to get a map because you will have to drive in downtown San Francisco. This is probably the easiest way to go: Get on the Embarcadero heading northwest after getting off the Bay Bridge. Follow the Embarcadero until you reach Bay Street, make a left onto Bay Street. Follow Bay for 10 blocks and make a left on Van Ness. In 3 blocks you will make a right on Lombard. Drive west on Lombard Street. When the road starts to bend to the right, you should make a left to continue driving due east toward the entrance of the Presidio. This will become Lincoln Blvd. and will take you on a path through the Presidio. Take the Long Avenue exit off Lincoln and continue to Fort Point.
From the West:   Get a boat, sail under the Golden Gate, tie up at the Marina and jog on down to meet us.