The San Francisco call., 1897-06-23
Officers Mess, Assembly
Hall and Club
rooms.
Adobe Barracks Erected by the
spanish in ITO May Be
Preserved.
The Ancient House No Longer Ade-
quate for the Needs of the
Garrison.

The committee of officers at the Presidio
appointed to furnished plan for q new
building to include officers mess, assem-
bly, hall and club quarters, have submitted
an outline of the proposed structure.
Drawings in accordance with the require
ments submitted have been made by ]. A.
Riekon. engineer of the department quar-
termaster-general. Tie plans have been
indorsed and forwarded to the quarter.
master-general-in-chie at Washington for
final approval.
The building now occupied as the mess,
assembly hall and club quarters at the
Presidio is the oldest house in San Fran
cisco. In fact it was the first house erected
on the peninsula. The contemplated i'm
provements at the Presidio will not de-
mand the demolition of the ancient bar
racks. Space adjoining and on the same
line may be secured for the new house. A
sentiment which obtains recognition in
army circles quite as freely as elsewhere
seems to favor the preservation of the old
adobe house, the foundation of which was
laid in 1776.
In connection with the origiaal reser-
vation of the Presidio and the erection of
the first buildings on the reserve a few
a
ing to HittelPs History the founders of
San FIR ancisco marched from Monterey
on the afternoon OF June II, 1776. Don
Jose Joaquin Moraga was the command
ant and with him were Frlars Francisco
! Palon an Benito Cambon, one sergeant
two corporals, sixteen soldiers and seven
! settlers.
One June % the first mass at Dolores
was celebrated. The commandant made
a careful survey OF the surroundings and
on the eastern slope of the hill or point
| forming the south side of the Golden Gate
be selected good site for the Presidio. A
| square space or ninety-two varas was laid
out and places were designated for bar
/ racks, guardhouse headquarters, church
and settlers houses. The buildings desig-
! mated were I'm Immediately constructed
| When the work was well under way a de-
| tachment was sent over to build church
or chapel at Mission Dolores. The formal
celebration of the foundation of the Pre-
sidio took place September II, 1776. On
| that day the royal Spanish standard was
| ho1sted and formal possession OF the place
and region round about was taken in the
name of Charles III, King Of Spain. The
! foundation of Mission Dolores was cele-
! brated October 4, 1916.
In the early history of California the
| missions were the chief centers Of popula-
ton and influence, the presidios being
secondary and to a considera BILE extent
! ShOOi ulndee. 1uS SOlulerS were sent
mainly TO assist and protect the friars.
! The general rule was not applied to the
| Preside OF San francisco.
An earthquake in 1903 shattered the
houses at the Presidio, out little damage
| was done at the mission.
What remains OF the ancient Presidio is
| the long adobe building now used as the
officers club and mess. Early in 1870
small section near the center of the an
| clent adobe was cut out 10 make room for
an Assem- bly, ball. The addition is SHOWN
IN the sketch accompanying this article.
! The interior Of the old structure has been
cased in wood, so from that point of view
| nothing suggests the antiquity OF the
house but the great thickness OF the walls.
! as revealed at the windows
| The proposed new building will have a