Mare Island's history in the US Navy reached from the side-wheel sloop USS Saginaw, built in 1858, to the end of ship construction in 1970. California designated the yard a historical landmark in 1960, and it became a National Historic Landmark district in 1975. The naval base remained active until its final closure in 1996 and subsequently passed through several redevelopment phases. Its later history records the transfer of a major naval industrial site into preservation and civilian reuse.
Notable Point · 1:01:42-1:02:39
Mare Island shifts from naval industry to protected heritage
Mare Island's history runs from the side-wheel sloop Saginaw in 1858 through the end of ship construction, landmark protection, closure, and redevelopment.