National Historic Sites - California

Eugene ONeill National Historic Site

5/15/2009 Hung out a little then met 9 other folks for the shuttle to Eugene O’Neill NHS. Drove about 10 minutes to Tao [House NHL], the home of O’Neill in which he wrote his greatest works, including the autobiographical Long Days Journey Into Night. The house is a combination of Asian and Spanish Ranch, tucked in the beautiful hills with views of Mount Diablo. The ranger gave an almost two hour talk while going from room to room, giving the story of this troubled writer with much sorrow and tragedy in his life. Ended up in the study where O’Neill wrote. Back down in the shuttle.

The park sign

The outer wall ...

... and close-up of the gate

A panorama of Tao House

Me in the living area

O'Neill's office

Fort Point National Historic Site

11/13/1996 ... drove to San Francisco and Fort Point NHS. Located at the base of the Golden Gate, this is a civil war era brick fort. Walked all around; a few exhibits and cannons, great views of bridge and ocean.

The park location at the base of the Golden Gate

The fort lighthouse

A view of the fort interior

Cool view of the bridge structure

6/24/2015 ... headed back to SF over the Golden Gate. After a little circling around due to missing an exit, we arrived at Fort Point NHS. This pre-civil war fort has the huge arches of the south end of the bridge arcing over it for a very interesting effect. Although we had great weather at the Civic Center, SF had low clouds and fog and a cool breeze – very stereotypical. We took some pictures of the bridge, and walked into the fort for a look around, including climbing up on the ramparts. The Fort is part of the Golden Gate NRA.

The park sign

The fort sitting under the bridge

A view from the inside

A little lighthouse

View from the ramparts

A classic view of the golden gate

John Muir National Historic Site

5/15/2009 … while driving to Martinez and John Muir NHS [NHL]. Walked around Muir’s home (had many reproductions of national park paintings) and even rang the bell in the belfry. Walked around the orchards and saw the Sequoia that Muir brought back and planted.

The park sign

Muir's home exterior

Lots of nature art around

An interior shot

Me checking out the home

Manzanar National Historic Site

5/26/1999 ... then went a few miles out of our way to see Manzanar NHS [Relocation Center NHL], the remains of a 1940s Japanese internment camp. Not much left – one auditorium, roads, some foundations (beautiful setting at the base of the Sierras).

Entering at the gate area

One of the remaining buildings

A view to the mountains