John Martini

As soon as U.S. forces seized San Francisco Bay during the Mexican War they began to look at ways to defend America’s new, distant, and valuable possession. With the discovery of gold, the need for defenses became paramount. The big fear: that Great Britain’s Pacific Fleet might try to seize San Francisco Bay and California — and make them part of the British Empire. In this illustrated talk, local historian John Martini will discuss the early harbor defenses erected by the U.S. Army between 1846 and the start of the Civil War in 1861.

John A. Martini is a native San Franciscan and a life-long researcher into the history of California and the American West. He worked as a National Park Ranger for more than 25 years at parks around the country. He has written five books, including Sutro’s Glass Palace: The Story of Sutro Baths.

Doors open at 5:45 PM for socializing and snacks; Presentations begin at 6:30.

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