Traveling the trails of America's military past

VFW Magazine, August, 2003 by Richard K. Kolb, Shannon Hanson

Exploring the sites of the nation's martial heritage makes for a fascinating historical journey. It is both entertaining and educational for an entire family, but especially so for history buffs. To make your travels more rewarding and convenient, VFW magazine is launching a special series of articles focusing on geographic regions of the country.

The articles will provide you with a brief description of preserved battlefield parks and museums that are part of the National Park, state park and military service museum systems. Some private sites are listed, too. Only the essentials--historical significance, location and telephone contact--are provided here. By offering these leads, we hope you will pursue them further. Most places identified can send individual brochures on request. The Internet also contains relevant Web sites, which provide additional details.

Whether your military history preferences lie in colonial Indian campaigns or World War II--or any war in between--we think this compilation will spark your interest. To be sure, we will have missed some sites. So let us know your favorite spots so they can be shared with your fellow veteran-travelers in Mail Call.

TRIP 1: WEST COAST Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington

ALASKA

Alaska State Museum, Juneau, (907) 465-4826. Military artifacts relating to Alaska history after U.S. purchase in 1867. American and Japanese WWII military objects from the 1943 Aleutian campaign.

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area Unalaska, (907) 581-9944.

Site of Japanese raid on Dutch Harbor, June 2-4, 1942, and center for history of WWII Aleutian campaign. Visitor center, memorial park, bunkers.

Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka, (907) 747-6281.

Site of 1804 battle between Russians and Tlingit natives. Visitor center, Russian Bishop's House and tour trail.

Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park Kodiak, (907) 486-6339.

Remnants of WWII military installations within 186-acre wooded park, including coastal defense guns and bunkers. Site houses Kodiak Military History Museum.

CALIFORNIA

Golden State Museum Sacramento, (916) 653-7524.

Displays cover WWII expansion of military bases, shipbuilding, aircraft industry and employment they produced. Also, state archives containing military records from 1850s to WWII, including state militia and National Guard.

California Military Museum Sacramento, (916) 442-2883.

Three floors covering state military history from Spanish California through U.S. peacekeeping mission in the Balkans. Extensive library and research center.

Fort Point National Historic Site San Francisco, (415) 556-1693.

Coastal fortification at foot of Golden Gate Bridge built in 1850s to guard entrance to San Francisco Bay until 1886. Cannon-loading demonstrations, tours.

Lava Beds National Monument Tulelake, (530) 667-2282, ext. 232.

Includes Captain Jack's Stronghold (a natural fortress) from the 1872-73 Modoc War. The Historic Trail consists of 23 points of interest. Also, Thomas-Wright Battlefield and visitor center.

Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historic Park Richmond, (510) 236-7435.

Tells story of local and national WWII home front experience, including labor contributions of women. Visitor center, shipyard, S.S. Red Oak Victory, memorial, historic buildings.

Fort Humboldt State Historic Park Eureka, (707) 445-6567.

Served as a buffer between settlers and Indians from 1853 until 1870. Original post hospital houses museum with pre-Civil War military artifacts. Reconstructed surgeon's quarters.

Fort Ross State Historic Park Jenner, (707) 847-3286.

Russian fort built in 1812 for trade, manned until 1841. Reconstructed Russian Orthodox chapel, stockade, Commander's House with exhibits of Russian occupation.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park Lebec, (661) 248-6692.

Manned 1854-64 to protect and control Indians on Sebastian Indian Reservation. Restored buildings, visitor center, museum.

San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, San Pasqual, (760) 737-2201.

Site of 1846 Mexican War engagement with Spanish settlers. Visitor center, three memorials.

Civil Engineering Corps/Seabee Museum, Port Hueneme (Los Angeles), (805) 982-1249.

Artifacts and memorabilia from history of CEC/Seabees, with extensive medal, uniform and arms exhibits.

Marine Corps Amphibious Vehicle Museum, Camp Pendleton (Oceanside), (760) 725-2418.

Most extensive collection of amphibious vehicles in country on outdoor display. More than 30 LVTs (Landing Vehicles, Tracked) dating from WWII through Vietnam.

Presidio

San Francisco, (415) 561-4323.

Military base from 1776-1994. Now 1,490-acre park, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Features 470 historic structures dating back to 1861, coastal defense structures and ordnance, barracks, guided walks. Visitor center, San Francisco National Cemetery, memorial to missing of Pacific WWII.

Aviation Museums

Castle Air Museum, Atwater

Air Museum Planes of Fame, Chino

March Field Museum March AFB (Riverside)