As many times as I had driven over the Golden Gate Bridge, I did not know that there was a fort underneath. Fort Point is located at the southern side, of the Golden Gate, at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. This fort was completed just before the American Civil War, to defend San Francisco Bay against hostile warships. The fort is now protected as Fort Point National Historic Site. In 1769 Spain occupied the San Francisco area and by 1776 had established the areas first European settlement. To protect against encroachment by the British and Russians, Spain fortified the cliff, at the narrowest part of the bay's entrance, where Fort Point now stands. Fort Castillo de San Joaquin was built in 1794. Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, gained control of the region and the fort. Following the Mexican American War, California was annexed by the US and became a state in 1850. The gold rush of 1849 had caused rapid settlement of the area, which was recognized as commercially and strategically valuable to the US. Military officials soon recommended a series of fortifications to secure San Francisco Bay including Fort Point which was completed in 1861. Troops moved out of Fort Point after the US Civil War and it was never again continuously occupied by the Army. In 1882 Fort Point was officially named Fort Winfield Scott but name never caught on. Soldiers from the 6th US Coast Artillery were stationed there during World War II to guard minefields and the anti submarine net that spanned the Golden Gate. Plans for the Golden Gate Bridge, in the 1930s, called for the fort's removal but Chief Engineer Joseph Strauss redesigned the bridge to save the fort. The fort is situated directly below the southern approach to the bridge, underneath an arch that supports the roadway. There is a lighthouse built into the walls of the fort (upper right). Scanned from an old photo. Info from Wilipedia. Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments. They are very much appreciated. Dana