Fort Rosecrans (Point Loma, San Diego, California)

Point Loma, San Diego · California · Mexican-American War era

Quick BriefPresident Millard Fillmore created a U.S. Preserve on Point Loma by executive order in 1852. From 1870 to 1873 coast artillery corpsmen evicted whalers to begin the military installation. In 1899 it was named for William S. Rosecrans, a Civil War general and California congressman. Major fortifications were constructed in 1891–1903 and 1941–1943; transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1957, it became a submarine support facility.

Endicott SystemCoastal defenseActive base today

History & Significance

President Millard Fillmore's 1852 executive order established a military preserve on Point Loma, though disputes between the War Department and the city of San Diego prevented construction until the late 1860s. Between 1870 and 1873, coast artillery personnel cleared whalers from the site to establish the military installation.

Initial construction began in 1873 but proceeded slowly until 1890 when congressional funding enabled completion; the fort was finished in 1898 and renamed Fort Rosecrans. The fort honored Major General William S. Rosecrans, a Civil War general and California congressman.

Major coastal fortifications were constructed during 1891–1903 and again 1941–1943. A sub-post, Fort Pio Pico, was built on North Island in 1906 and abandoned in 1919.

With World War II's end, the coastal battery became obsolete, and Fort Rosecrans was officially abandoned by the Army. The installation was transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1957 and became a submarine support facility. The site now operates as Naval Base Point Loma, home to submarine operations and multiple naval commands.