Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite
Also known as: Lime Point Tract Reservation; Tennessee Point Military Reserv
Why it's listed
Spread across 2,279 acres of hills and tidelands on the north side of the Golden Gate near Sausalito, Forts Baker, Barry and Cronkhite form a district of coastal defense works. The batteries were built to stop hostile ships from passing through the Golden Gate into San Francisco Bay, supporting the fortifications at the Presidio of San Francisco. Construction began in earnest in the Endicott period (1890-1910), when batteries were laid out so that each backed up the next, from the Pacific side to the bay. Later work responded to changing threats between the world wars, to anti-aircraft and motor torpedo boat defense in World War II, and to NIKE missile sites built in 1955. Armament ranged from 3-inch guns to 16-inch guns. Only two batteries have been destroyed, and fifteen remain in good condition, now disarmed. The concrete and steel structures illustrate the age of coastal artillery and the growth of national defense.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the district is unique because it preserves many of the earliest American coastal defense artillery batteries, which trace the development of the national defense system. The batteries cover five systems of defense, from muzzle-loading guns to rifled breechloaders and anti-aircraft guns. Fifteen fortifications remain in good structural condition, and only two batteries have been destroyed.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000255, listed December 12, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Sausalito off U.S. 101, Sausalito |
|---|---|
| County | Marin County |
| Listed | December 12, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000255 |
| Resource type | District |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fifteen fortifications remain in good structural condition, all disarmed. Battery Duncan was vacant as of February 1973, and one NIKE site remains operational. |
| Acreage | 25 |
| Coordinates | 37.83590, -122.47887 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000255.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5472756
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.