Fort Cronkhite (Sausalito, California)
Sausalito · California · World War II
History & Significance
In 1928, the Army planned two coastal defense gun batteries on either side of the Golden Gate to prevent hostile ships from entering the bay, and in 1937 Congress approved the expenditure for about 800 acres near Rodeo Lagoon. The reservation was named for Major General Adelbert Cronkhite, commander of the 80th Division during World War I. Battery Townsley construction began in 1938 and, when completed in 1940, became the second 16-inch battery on the West Coast.
Battery E of the 6th Coast Artillery established the first garrison on June 20, 1941. Following the expansion required for wartime mobilization, 43 buildings were constructed and occupied by 1941.
After Pearl Harbor, Fort Cronkhite shifted from a training facility to operational status, with guns required to be ready at a moment's notice and soldiers manning Battery Townsley in 24-hour shifts. In January 1944, Fort Cronkhite hosted the Western Defense Command's Commando Combat School until December 1944.
During the Cold War, the fort housed soldiers of the nearby SF-88 Nike Missile launch site, which operated throughout the 1960s and early 1970s until permanently closed in 1974. Fort Cronkhite was discontinued as a United States Army installation effective 10 September 1974.
Key Facts
Map
View larger map ↗ · © OpenStreetMap contributors
🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Historic WWII coastal artillery post in Marin Headlands
- Battery Townsley features restored 16-inch gun installations
- Hiking trails through ridges with Golden Gate views
- NPS-managed grounds with period buildings and fortification remnants
- Adjacent Rodeo Beach for coastal scenery
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Cronkhite
- https://www.nps.gov/places/000/fort-cronkhite.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/seacoast-defense-fortress-san-francisco.htm
- https://www.militarymuseum.org/FtCronkhite.html
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-cronkhite-california/
- https://coastview.org/2025/01/15/fort-cronkhite-marin-headlands/
- https://home.nps.gov/articles/fortcronkite.htm
- https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/fort-cronkhite
- https://npshistory.com/publications/goga/hrs-forts-baker-barry-cronkhite.pdf