“Can you hear the echoes?” I ask, gesturing towards Battery Alexander. “The ghosts of artillerymen still roam here.” Battery Alexander, completed in 1902, wasn’t your typical coastal defense. Unlike the long-range guns of nearby batteries, this fort bristled with eight 12-inch mortars. These behemoths, each weighing 59 tons, were designed to rain explosive shells down onto enemy ships. Imagine the scene: all eight mortars firing simultaneously, the ground trembling, a deafening roar echoing across the Marin Headlands. The concussions were so powerful they could knock unprepared soldiers off their feet. Initially, it was thought mortars were less accurate than traditional guns. However, World War I proved otherwise. By 1918, Battery Alexander was reduced to four mortars, increasing accuracy and efficiency. The battery remained active until 1943. The rise of air power made these massive mortars obsolete. Look around. To your right, a sloping meadow descends towards Rodeo Lagoon and the remnants of Fort Cronkite. Behind us lies a relic of the Cold War, the Nike Missile Site SF88. Battery Alexander, though silent now, remains a testament to a bygone era of coastal defense. A time when the threat of enemy battleships loomed large, and the roar of mortars filled the air.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to