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The GGNRA's Archives holds very little detail regarding who was stationed or worked on the military lands that now make up the largest urban national park. Most military personnel records were transferred to the National Archives, and frankly, keeping track of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who passed through these installations would be an enormous task. Unless materials were donated to the GGNRA, or to the former Presidio Army Museum, the Archives staff can provide very little on an individual. However, one of the best tools for the "slice of life" side to the military's history on the lands of the GGNRA are in the post newspapers. These three historic newspapers held in the Park Archives provide a great deal of insight to the military perspective of local and national events as well as supply names to some of the men and women who served or worked at this site. Each paper covers a different range of years, and concentrates on a specfic area. The scanned versions are available through two platforms and as more newspapers are scanned and processed they will be added. Internet Archive - The Park Archives page with the Internet Archive contains every currently scanned volume of the newspapers. Searching is possible within an individual volume and the document is available for download. California Digital Newspaper Collection - Currently only the Golden Gate Guardian and half of the Star Presidian newspapers are available through this platform. More volumes and issues will be added as resources allow. Searching is possible across all volumes within a title (and possibly through additional newspapers hosted through this site). *Please note the newspapers are reflections of the time period. Some materials may contain articles or opinions that are considered prejudiced, stereotyped or offensive, but are a valuable resource to the overall study of American culture. 
Golden Gate GuardianThe Golden Gate Guardian (1941-1946) was a military produced newspaper printed for the members of the Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, headquartered at Fort Winfield Scott in the Presidio of San Francisco. The newspapers feature articles, images, sports news, and opinions related specifically to the local units. These papers are part of the Charles Teitel Collection (GOGA-3900). Charles Teitel was the founder and editor of the Golden Gate Guardian when stationed at Fort Scott.Golden Gate Guardian on the Internet Archive Golden Gate Guardian on the California Digital Newspaper Collection 
Letterman Fog HornThe Fog Horn (1941-1989) was a local newspaper printed for the staff, patients, and visitors of the Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco. The newspapers feature articles on military governance, patient and personnel profiles, advancements in medical technology and procedures, documentation of current foreign conflicts—such as WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam—and the domestic efforts which supported them, and sports reportage (national and local), to farther reaching information on daily business which affected soldiers in the community—such as social security benefits, GI Bill uses at local colleges, and convenient vacation spots in the Bay Area. These papers are part of the Letterman Army Hospital Fog Horn Collection (GOGA 18197). *Digitizing work is still in process for this series. Currently only Volumes 1 - 8 are available. These items are not available through the California Digital Newspaper Collection at this time. 
Star PresidianThe Star Presidian (1952-1965 and 1972-1995) was a local newspaper printed for the residents, soldiers, and civilian workers of the Presidio of San Francisco. The newspapers feature articles, images, sports news, and ads related specifically to the military. These papers are part of the Army Public Affairs Office Collection (GOGA 35330).Star Presidian on the Internet Archive Star Presidian on the California Digital Newspaper Collection (currently 1952 - 1972 only) |
Last updated: December 6, 2022