Angel Island (California)
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | San Francisco Bay |
Coordinates | 37°52′N 122°26′W / 37.86°N 122.43°W |
Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) |
Highest elevation | 788.76 ft (240.414 m) |
Highest point | Mount Caroline Livermore |
Administration | |
United States | |
State | California |
County | Marin County City and County of San Francisco |
Demographics | |
Population | 12 |
Pop. density | 3.87/km2 (10.02/sq mi) |
Reference no. | 529[1] |
Angel Island is an island in
Geography
Angel Island is the second largest island in area of the San Francisco Bay (Alameda is the largest). On a clear day, Sonoma and Napa can be seen from the north side of the island; San Jose can be seen from the south side of the island. The highest point on the island, almost exactly at its center, is Mount Caroline Livermore, more commonly known as simply Mt Livermore, at a height of 788 feet (240 meters). This peak is named for Caroline Sealy Livermore.[6] The island is almost entirely in the city of Tiburon, in Marin County, although, there is a small sliver (0.7%) at the eastern end of it (Fort McDowell) which extends into the territory of the City and County of San Francisco. The island is separated from the mainland of Marin County by Raccoon Strait, the depth of the water approximately 90 feet (27 m). The United States Census Bureau reported a land area of 3.107 square miles (8.05 square kilometers) and a population of 57 people as of the 2000 census.[7]
Geology
Angel Island emerged during the last Ice Age when the ocean, much lower and located miles to the west, shaped the landscape.
History
Until about ten thousand years ago, Angel Island was connected to the mainland; it was cut off by the rise in sea levels due to the end of the last
In his book Two Years Before the Mast, published in 1841, Richard Henry Dana Jr. mentions in chapter 26, that in 1834 his sailing ship collected wood from "a small island, about two leagues from the Yerba Buena anchorage, called by us 'Wood Island' and by the Mexicans 'Isla de los Ángeles' and was covered with trees to the waters edge."
It is shown, labeled I. de los Angeles, on an 1850 survey map of the
Like much of the California coast, Angel Island was subsequently used for cattle ranching. In 1863, during the
Fort McDowell
In the later 19th century, the army designated the entire island as "Fort McDowell" and developed further facilities there, including what is now called the East Garrison or Fort McDowell. A quarantine station was opened in Ayala Cove (which at the time was known as Hospital Cove) in 1891. During the Spanish–American War the island served as a discharge depot for returning troops. It continued to serve as a transit station throughout the first half of the 20th century, with troops engaged in World War I embarking and returning there. During the war, the post was commanded by Colonel George K. McGunnegle, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1918 but remained on duty until the end of the war.[20] After the war, the disembarkation center was commanded by William P. Burnham, who had commanded the 82nd Division in France during the war.
On 6 May 1932 the Army created the San Francisco Port of Embarkation as a command which included the Overseas Replacement and Discharge Service at Fort McDowell, Fort Mason and the Pacific Army Transport Service ships and facilities.[21]
In 1938, hearings concerning charges of membership in the Communist political party against labor leader Harry Bridges were held on Angel Island before Dean James Landis of Harvard Law School. After eleven weeks of testimony that filled nearly 8,500 pages, Landis found in favor of Bridges. The decision was accepted by the United States Department of Labor and Bridges was freed.[22]
During World War II, the need for troops in the Pacific far exceeded prior needs. The facilities on Angel Island were expanded and further processing was done at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Prior to the war, the infrastructure had been expanded, including building the Army ferry
The army decommissioned the military post in 1947. In 1954 a
Quarantine station
The bubonic plague posed such a threat to the U.S. that Angel Island opened as a quarantine station in 1891 to screen Asian passengers and their baggage prior to landing on U.S. soil.[26] The construction of this federally funded quarantine station was completed in 1890 at a cost of approximately $99,000.[27] The compound contained many separate buildings including detention barracks, disinfection facilities, convalescence quarters, and an isolation hospital that was known as the "leper's house".[27] Even with the new construction, the facilities were lacking in cleanliness, staffing and adequate space.[28]
In response to the death of Wong Chut King, a Chinese immigrant who worked in a rat-infested lumberyard in Chinatown, the San Francisco Health Board quickly quarantined the local area to neutralize possible disease-causing agents.[26] Persons suspected of having any contact with this sickness were sent to isolation facilities.[26] After more deaths, tissue samples were sent to Angel Island for testing to determine if they harbored Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for spreading the bubonic plague. At this time, the plague was difficult to diagnose due to other diseases which could mask the presence of plague.[26] The culture was tested on animals for four days, and Y. pestis was confirmed. Bacteriologist Joseph J. Kinyoun, who was stationed at Angel Island in 1899, believed that the plague would spread throughout San Francisco's Chinatown.[26][29]
Immigration station
The construction of the Angel Island immigration station began in 1905 but was not used until 1910.
The immigration station at Angel Island was predominantly used to inspect, disinfect, and detain Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian immigrants who sailed across the Pacific Ocean.[28] In addition to standard medical examinations, Chinese immigrants were inspected for parasitic diseases, and the tests for intestinal parasites required a stool specimen.[28] Immigrants described the examination and disinfection process as brutal, humiliating, and indecent.[26] Passengers who were found to be sick were sent to the hospital on the island until they could pass a medical examination and an immigration hearing.[27] Investigation processes determined the length of time an immigrant would stay at the station[33] and Chinese immigrants could be detained for a period as short as two weeks to as long as two years.[34] A person's racial identity and social class determined the intensity of the examination imposed, resulting in fewer white Europeans and American citizens being subjected to the inspections.[28]
A fire destroyed the administration building in 1940, and subsequent immigration processing took place in San Francisco. On November fifth of 1940, the last gathering of around 200 immigrants, including around 150 Chinese, were exchanged from Angel Island to brief quarters in San Francisco.[31]
In 1964, the Chinese American community successfully lobbied the State of California to designate the immigration station as a State Landmark. Today, the Angel Island Immigration Station is a federally designated National Historic Landmark. It was renovated by the California State Parks, which re-opened February 16, 2009. Docent tours for school groups can be made by appointment.
Angel Island State Park
In 1955, the State Park Commission authorized
There is one active United States Coast Guard lighthouse on the island at Point Blunt. The lighthouse at Point Stuart has been disestablished.
Ecology
The island's native plant communities include
It is thought that the Coast Miwoks used regular fires to expand the grassland and shrublands at the expense of the woodlands. Commodities from continents worldwide have seamlessly merged into the environment through livestock transportation and Spanish missionaries' seed cultivation.[36] The grasslands and shrublands provided edible seeds and bulbs, and supported larger numbers of deer and small game.[35]
The Angel Island Mole, Scapanus latimanus insularis, is a subspecies of broad-footed mole endemic to Angel Island.[37]
The military had planted 24 acres of Bluegum Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) on the island for windbreaks, beautification, timber, and erosion control. By the mid-1980s, the area covered by eucalyptus had expanded to 86 acres. In the 1980s, California State Parks undertook environmental studies to remove most of the Eucalyptus from the island, in order to restore native flora and reduce fire danger. The proposal generated controversy and received much local media coverage, and was approved to begin in 1990. Eucalyptus were removed from 80 acres between 1990 and 1997, and nursery-grown native plants were planted in the cleared areas. Six acres of historically significant eucalyptus trees were retained.[38]
As elsewhere in California, intensive cattle grazing in the 19th century allowed annual grasses introduced from Southern Europe to replace the native perennial grasses.[35] Before European colonization, the Angel Island area maintained a diverse oak woodland ecosystem consisting of coast live oak, California Bay, and madrone. Additionally, grasslands and coastal scrub primarily covered shrubbery in the South and West portions.[36] Ongoing removal of non-native plants, including French broom (Genista monspessulana), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) and Ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis), continues in an effort to restore the original evergreen woodland, perennial grassland, and coastal scrub plant communities.[38]
In addition to the eucalyptus, plantings from the military period of Monterey Pine (
Mule deer (
In 2002, the summit of Mount Caroline Livermore, which had been flattened in the 1950s to build the Nike missile radar and tracking installation, was re-contoured to resemble its original appearance, and increased 16 feet in height as a result. The access road up the west side of the mountain was removed, and replaced with a winding trail up the east side.[40]
2008 fire
On October 12, 2008, at approximately 9 p.m.
Firefighters ran around from the mainland and helicopters dropped water and fire retardants to protect the historical buildings and extinguish the fire that was fully contained by October 14, 2008, at approximately 7 p.m.[43] 380 of the island's 740 acres (300 ha) were burned in the fire.[44] With the exception of one abandoned water tank, no structures were lost in the fire.[45]
Firefighting efforts were coordinated from the
In portions of the evergreen woodlands, the fire burned through quickly, consuming the understory, but leaving the trees mostly undamaged.[45] The fire burned several stands of Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) originally planted by the U.S. Army, which will be restored to native evergreen woodlands.[39]
Prior fires include one in 2005 that burned 25 acres (10 ha), and a smaller 2–3-acre blaze in 2004.[45]
Access
Access to the island is by private boat or public ferry from
Dogs (except service dogs) are not allowed.
Wood fires are prohibited. Charcoal fires are allowed, but charcoal is not available for purchase on the island.
There are 11 environmental campsites, including an ADA site, 9 numbered sites (each site accommodating up to 8 people), and a kayak-accessible group site (holds up to 20 people).
Night travel on the island is prohibited in some areas for reasons of park security and public safety.
Metal detectors, while allowed, are not recommended, because digging or disturbing the soil or ground in the park is prohibited.
Infrastructure
Electrical
Angel Island is served by
See also
- Islands of San Francisco Bay
- List of California state parks
References
- ^ a b "Angel Island". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
- ^ "Angel Island SP". CA State Parks. California Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ DeGeorgey, Alex (2016). "Contributions to San Francisco Bay prehistory : archaeological investigations at CA-MRN-44/H, Angel Island State Park, Marin County, California". Publications in Cultural Heritage (33). Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ^ The National Register of Historic Places (16 August 2007). "Celebrating Asian Heritage". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-8078-5448-8.
- ^ Wood, Jim (August 27, 2008). "The Inspirational Beginnings of the Marin Conservation League". marinmagazine.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Detailed Tables: Block Group 3, Census Tract 1242, Marin County; and Block 1068, Block Group 1, Census Tract 179.02, San Francisco County" (Document). United States Census Bureau, American FactFinder. 2000.
- ^ a b "Natural History « Angel Island Conservancy". Retrieved 2023-10-25.
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- ^ ISBN 0-87590-234-0.
- ^ S2CID 127295654.
- ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008). "Ring Mountain - Carving in United States in The West". The Megalithic Portal. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-520-21271-8. Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ^ Ringgold, Cadwalader; Stuart, Fred D.; Everett, Chas.; Harrison (1850). "General Chart embracing Surveys of the Farallones Entrance to the Bay of San Francisco, Bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, Straits of Carquines and Suisun Bay, and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, to the Cities of Sacramento and San Joaquin, California". David Rumsey Map Collection. San Francisco Common Council. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Lange, Henry (1854). "Bai San Francisco und Vereinigung des Sacramento mit dem San Joaquin". David Rumsey Map Collection. George Westermann. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Personal Letter of James T. Gardiner to his mother, San Francisco, November 7, 1863, New York State Library
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9667-3522-2.
- ^ John Soennichsen (13 January 2008). "Historic California Posts: Fort McDowell (Camp Reynolds, Post of Angel Island)". The California State Military Museum. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- Newspapers.com.
- LCCN 2010022326.
- ISBN 978-1-78225-439-3.
- ^ "Fort McDowell/Angel Island" Archived 2015-04-25 at the Wayback Machine Densho Encyclopedia (accessed 13 Jun 2014)
- ^ "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: San Francisco area". www.airfields-freeman.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-18.
- ^ Hanrahan, Michael, 2009. A Visitor's Guide to Angel Island State Park. p. 37. Way Out There Press.
- ^ a b c d e f Risse. G., (2012). Plague, fear, and politics in San Francisco's Chinatown. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press
- ^ a b c Lucaccini, Luigi. "The Public Health Service on Angel Island". Public Health Reports. 111 (January/February 1996): 92–94.
- ^ S2CID 143588478.
- ^ Craddock, Susan (2004). City of Plagues: Disease, Poverty and Deviance in San Francisco. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Press.
- ^ "Immigration Station". California Department of Parks and Recreation. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23.
- ^ a b c "United States Immigration Station (USIS) « Angel Island Conservancy". angelisland.org. Archived from the original on 2014-09-16.
- ^ "Immigrant Journeys of Chinese Americans". Angel Island. Archived from the original on 2018-01-26.
- ^ "Immigration Station". California Department of Parks and Rec. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23.
- ^ "Immigration Station". California State Parks and Rec. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07.
- ^ a b c d Wheeler, Thomas. "Historic Landscapes of the Angel Island Coastal Fortifications". California Department of Parks and Recreation. Accessed 9 September 2013 Angel Island Landscapes Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Angel Island Landscapes". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Collins, Paul W. "Angel Island mole, Scapanus latimanus insularis" in Bolster, B.C. (ed.) Terrestrial Mammal Species of Special Concern in California, 1998. Accessed 8 September 2013. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b Boyd, David, 1997. "Eucalyptus Removal on Angel Island". California Exotic Pest Plant Council 1997 Symposium Proceedings
- ^ a b California State Parks, 2012. Angel Island State Park Interpretation Master Plan. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Mount Livermore." Angel Island Conservancy. Accessed 8 September 2013 Mount Livermore – Angel Island Conservancy Archived 2016-02-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^
"Angel Island Fires". Dvidshub. 2008-10-13. Archivedfrom the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
A fireboat from the Tiburon Fire Department attempts to extinguish fires here Oct. 13, 2008.
- ^ Adam Jackson (13 October 2008). "Angel Island San Francisco on Fire! (links)". Adam and Laura Go West. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ Demian Bulwa; Kevin Fagan; Jim Doyle (14 October 2008). "Wildfire transforms Angel Island". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ Mark Prado (15 October 2008). "Burned Angel Island to reopen Monday; public will have limited access". The Marin Independent Journal. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
- ^ a b c Mark Prado; Jennifer Upshaw (13 October 2008). "All-out attack as firefighters work to save Angel Island". The Marin Independent Journal. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^
"Angel Island Fires". Dvidshub. 2008-10-13. Archivedfrom the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
- ^ a b c d "Pacific Gas and Electric Company Electrical Distribution Resources Plan". California Public Utilities Commission. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
Further reading
- Freedman, Russell (2013). Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain. Boston (MA): Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0-547-90378-1.
- Lai, Him Mark; Lim, Genny; Yung, Judy (1980). Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940. Seattle: University of Washington. ISBN 978-0-295-97109-4.
External links
- Angel Island State Park
- Angel Island Conservancy non-profit cooperating association
- Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation non-profit cooperating association
- Angel Island Company state park concessionaire
- Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry
- ^ "Natural History « Angel Island Conservancy". Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ "Angel Island Landscapes". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2023-10-24.