The Marin Headlands has a rich and diverse history. This history ranges from many different topics and fields of study. Arguably the most recognizable history of the area is its military history.  The Marin Headlands is host to many military sites, such as Fort Baker. The history of how Fort Baker was constructed and operated is truly fascinating. Additionally, one may be interested in how a veteran views the Fort's history. The military importance of the headlands was quite a bit more during World War I and II. There were many several plans and installations implemented to guard the California coast during the Second World War.  If you would prefer something a bit unique, then check out the fights that were organized at Alcatraz.

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Not long after World War II, coastal defenses modernized.  The Nike Missile sites are popular tourist attractions as relics from the Cold war, that thankfully never had to be used. The missiles, some of which were nuclear, were placed here to combat the threat of Soviet bombers. Though the missiles were never fired at said bombers, there were still contingency measures and evacuation plans in case the unthinkable happened. 

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If military history is not in your interest, then fret not! there is plenty of other topics to explore. Find out more about the Marincello development plan as well as the staunch resistance and protests towards the plans. The land has been used for more than missiles and possible construction sites. The headlands were also host to refugee camps following the infamous 1906 earthquake. Perhaps your a rancher or have an interest in farming. Look no further than the Portuguese dairy farms that were present in the area. Interested in westerns? Find out the similarities and differences between the Vaqueros that resided in Marin and the famous "cowboy" image. 

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On April 18 the 1906 Earthquake shook San Francisco with the magnitude of 8.25 on the Richter scale. Immediate fires broke out, originally caused by exploding gas mains, overturned stoves, broken electrical wires and open circuits. The fires destroyed about three hundred blocks, and left almost four hundred thousand residents homeless. As a result, residents became refugees, evacuated further and further from their homes. The swift movement and catastrophic reach of the fire necessitated refugee camps isolated from the blaze, forming the largest camps in the Presidio and Golden Gate Park.

 

 

 

There is also lots of information available on the Marin Headlands environment. For such a small geographic region, the Marin Headlands has an incredible amount of biodiversity to explore. Another attraction that is not to be missed, and is full of interesting history, is the beautiful Point Bonita Lighthouse, which overlook another world waiting to be discovered beneath the waves.

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If indigenous peoples are your interest, well the Marin Headlands has that too. The presence of the Coast Miwok people is well known in Marin County and their settlements in the Marin Headlands are worth exploring. The Marin Headlands is a beautiful place that has a little history and culture for everyone!

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