Site Name:	Fort Mason	Click image for full view
Site Address:	Marina Blvd. & Buchanan St. San Francisco, CA 94123 Click here for driving directions
Site Type:	Private Property WARNING: This is a privately owned location. DO NOT TRESPASS.

Description:

Fort Mason has a rich and colorful history. During the 1800?s several people built homes in what is now called Fort Mason. In 1851 fur trader Leonides Haskell built his home which is referred to now as Quarters Three. In a manner of speaking the North and the South were fighting over slave status in California. Justice Terry wanted California to become a slave state and Senator Broderick was an avid critic of the state law that declared freed slaves fugitives who became the property of whoever apprehended them. Needless to say the hot issue resulted in challenges forcing a deadly duel. In 1859 a duel between U.S. Senator David Broderick and State Supreme Court Justice David Terry took place just outside the Haskell residence. Nerves were raw and jittery that day. So much that Broderick fired his gone as he drew it from his holster. It is unclear whether or not Terry was aware of the accidental shot or not, but his deadly aim at the Senator?s chest resulted in Broderick dying three days later. Broderick had spent the night at Haskell?s home pacing back and forth nervously all night. Within days of the duel the federal government confiscated the area turning the private residences into quarters thus making the beginning of Fort Mason. Over the years, many military families that have occupied the home of Haskell have reported seeing the Senator packing back and forth. Capt. James Lunn?s family reported disembodied shadows moving back and forth in the parlor; Colonel Cecil Puckett felt someone following and watching him; and Capt. Everett Jones and his family experienced poltergeist activity until they stopped joking about the ghost. The residents of Fort Mason had to deal with Broderick walking about in his afterlife but also the possibility of many others due to complications of the gold rush. There were just as many dead souls as there were living ones in the San Francisco area so in 1901 an ordinance was passed prohibiting burials within the city limits. Land was needed for the living. To make matters worse, the earth quake of 1906 ended the lives of hundreds as well. In 1910 it was decided that cremation would also be prohibited. All but two cemeteries were to be relocated. It took only 9.5 years to complete the excavation although if the workers had done their job it would have taken them much longer. As a result of the relocation, tombstones became plentiful. So many were left behind that they were used for the wave organ on the jetty at Fort Mason. Even today there are worries that anyone building or digging in this area might turn up an old body. If they do there are instructions to call the coroner or 911. Makes life interesting!

White Index Report - Haunting Probability:

Haunting Symptoms:

Apparitions, Full

Extra Sensory, Presence Felt

Visitation Hours:

Schedule varies but the museums are open free the first Wednesday of each month.

Travel Information:

Fort Mason is located between Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge on San Francisco Bay, in San Francisco's Marina district. The entrance to Fort Mason Center is at the intersection of Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St.; parking is found immediately to your right after entering. The main office is open Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm. For further information please visit the Fort Mason Foundation's website or call 415-441-3400.

Site Contact:	Fort Mason Foundation Landmark Building A, Fort Mason Center San Francisco, CA 94123-1382 Phone: (415) 441-3400 Fax: (415) 441-3405 E-mail: contact@fortmason.org
Web Reference:	http://www.haunted-places.com/paranorm.htm
Web Reference:	http://www.ccsf.cc.ca.us/Events_Pubs/Guardsman/s980130/feat02.htm
Web Reference:	http://www.fortmason.org/index.shtml