In order to harden the power over Us resources and you can area, Western european colonial vitality started initially to build fortifications to protect its settlements out of international encroachment. This new Spanish empire got produced multiple states Ca and you can sought for so you can combine its updates from inside the North america once the an excellent colonial stamina. Acknowledging the necessity of Bay area Bay’s vast harbor, Spain began to strengthen the city having defensive structures.
Construction of your own earliest defenses began during the 1776. A gently strengthened armed forces outpost, called Este Presidio de Bay area inside the Foreign-language, are based merely inside the Golden Gate to provide defense toward garrisoned soldiers. That it fortification while the other people to follow was largely constructed using work available with native people from brand new villages and you will missions away from new Santa Clara Area and you will Bay area urban area. El Presidio try quite prone to overseas mount, considering its lack of armament to protect by itself against naval attack. The latest Foreign-language was basically alert to it vulnerability, as well as the broadening tensions in your neighborhood manage in the future prompt him or her to deal with the inquiries.
In the ages following establishment of your Presidio, The country of spain and you may The uk contested possession of your own America Pacific Coast. Both colonial efforts tried to settle the territorial conflict at Nookta Summit of 1790. However, its efforts to-arrive a binding agreement were unsuccessful, as well as in 1792, the growing stress between them colonial vitality became clear when United kingdom naval manager George Vancouver went to brand new Presidio away from San francisco bay area and you may apprised his authorities of lack of adequate defenses. From inside the reaction to this statement and you can an evergrowing matter to possess United kingdom territorial says on Western Shore, Governor Jose Arrillaga acquisition the building from a seaside fortification in order to include Spain’s power over new harbor.
From inside the 1793 work first started into an area power supply to protect the latest Bay of San francisco bay area within its thin entrance. Located on Los angeles Punta de Cantil Blanco, or even the part the spot where the light bluffs overlook the a couple-kilometer wide Fantastic Entrance Straits about south, an enthusiastic adobe fort that have 15 cannon embrasures are finished in e the first seaside protection to the western shore out of Northern The usa, are called the fresh Castillo de San Joaquin. Research from inside the 1794 states you to definitely ordnance with the castillo and post included 800 canon testicle, «31 stands out of grapeshot or canister, 52 arrobas and you can eight oz regarding dust, 21 arrobas and you can 10 ounces from direct foil to own covering flints, seven arrobas and you may twenty-four oz from musket balls, step 3,065 musket cartridges constructed, and 244 flints.»
The latest Foreign-language and you can North american country period, 1776 so you’re able to 1846
Not long immediately following strengthening the latest Castillo de San Joaquin, Foreign-language interactions that have The uk began to damage. The fresh new tensions among them places sooner erupted toward an entire-level conflict inside 1797. The battle bequeath easily, of course, if this new conflict achieved the tiny settlement to the San francisco bay area Bay, Governor Diego de- Borica bought a supplementary electric battery centered a couple of kilometers towards eastern of your Castillo, really inside bay within a time having compatible anchorage (Fort Mason would-be centered at the same venue in the future). Earliest named Bateria San Jose, but afterwards also known as Bateria de Yerba Buena after the name off the regional cove, that it outpost was constructed with seven embrasures, yet it absolutely was merely armed with five seven-pounder cannons during the time of the completion.
North american country Day and age, 1822-1846
Even if Spain got expected an attack into pueblo to the San Francisco Bay because of the British, one to violence try never ever understood. Ironically, top possibility to Spain’s control of the location originated in an unanticipated adversary which in fact had been recently 
an old friend. The new Language nest regarding Mexico embarked towards the a battle getting liberty in 1821. Adopting the a profitable revolt after you to seasons, the brand new Nest claimed their liberty out of The country of spain. Alta Ca, which border expose-go out Ca, passed quietly toward Mexican control.