The last brick fortress.

The builders of Fort Point, America’s last brick fortress, were smart. Clearly aware of the power of deterrence, they made sure the world knew that a few shots from the battlements had sunk test targets with aplomb, with the result that no invader ever tried to steam down the channel into San Francisco Bay, now spanned by the Golden Gate bridge.

The Fort is closed Monday through Thursday to allow retrofit work to be carried out on the span of the Bridge above it. Entrance is free Fridays and weekends. As I wandered around the Fort on a beautiful morning, the sheer beauty of the brickwork suggested nothing so much as that the forbears of the artisans responsible doubtless built cathedrals and stately homes for their masters in Italy generations earlier.

The story.

The courtyard.

Cloistered landing.

Brickwork to die for.

Lone tourist.

Lovely, hazy morning light.

Cannon, once mounted on these emplacements, were never fired in anger.

The lighthouse.

Bricks galore.

The Fort is a National Park.

A fellow photographer was using a tripod and the Park guards seemed to have no problem with that. Handy for interior shots where the passageways are quite dark. I lucked out without one.

Nikon D3x, 24/2.8, 50/1.4 and 135/3.5 pre-Ai Nikkors.