Mare Island Naval , HABS No. CA-1543-,CA Marine Prison (Building 84) Suisun A venue, west side between Mesa Road and San Pablo Vallejo Solano County

PHOTOGRAPHS

WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA

Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of the Interior , CA 94 l 07 HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY

MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD \C..A- Marine Prison (Building 84)

HABS No. CA-1543-CA

Location: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California Suisun A venue, west side between Mesa Road and San Pablo

Significance: Building 84 is a contributing element of the Mare Island Historic District. Building 84 is significant historically and architecturally. Historically, the building served as the Marine Prison, or "brig," a necessary element for the operation of a very large military base. In addition, the building symbolizes the proliferation of functions at Mare Island, which was always much more than a shipyard.

Present Owner: U.S. Navy, EFA West 900 Commodore Drive San Bruno, CA 94066

Present Use: Vacant

Last Use: Storage

Description: Building 84, the historic "brig" at Mare Island, is an isolated structure located in the area of the historic Marine compound. It was built in stages between 1895 and the 1920s and includes several distinct structural elements, reflecting the different generations of work. It is best understood as comprising two distinct elements: a brick building, constructed in 1895, 1901, and 1909; and a reinforced concrete element built in stages in the 191 Os, 1920s, and 1930s. Only the brick building carries the number 84; the concrete elements are identified as Building 84A. The brick elements repeat the Greek Revival design of the earliest 19th century shops buildings at Mare Island. Befitting its role as a prison, Building 84 is isolated from most other buildings at Mare Island. The building is shown in context in Photograph CA-1, with the original wing at the right, the first addition in the center (facing the camera), and the concrete Building 84A to the left.

The original brick masonry part of Building 84 is the center of the facade, facing north. The first addition, built in 1901, is to the left (east) of the original, and repeats the Greek Revival design of MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD Marine Prison (Building 84) HABS No. CA-1543-CA (Page 2)

the original. The original wing is shown in Photograph CA-5. The brickwork on this narrow element includes brick piers at the comers which terminate in capitals, supporting a pedimented gable end. The first addition, shown in Photograph CA-3, is wider but repeats the brick piers, capitals, and pedimented gable end found on the original wing. Photograph CA-2 shows the juncture of these wings, at the northeast comer. A smaller brick wing exists on the west wide of the original jail. The concrete wings (Building 84A) were built in stages between the 191 Os and the 1930s. Although incompatible with the original materials, the concrete wings conform to the general design of the brick elements, particularly in the use of evenly spaced piers and a gabled roof form.

Building 84 is two-story, cross-shaped structure with various portions of the wings constructed in brick masonry or concrete. The earliest portion is of very plain brick masonry with a low­ pitched wood rafter framed gable roof. Its windows were grilled with iron bars and its pediment had a circular opening. The first addition to the building ( 1901) was of masonry with steel trusses, but its surface was lined with pilasters and treated with a classical pediment. Its windows, six-light over six-light double hung, were also grilled and had lintels and sills of cast stone. The last series of additions, of reinforced concrete poured against smooth board forms and painted, has similar classic detailing.

The integrity of Building 84 may be good or poor, depending upon how one treats the many additions, all completed before 1930. The concrete additions clearly detract from the design of the original Greek Revival brick building. The increasing size of the building over the years is indicative of the growing number of uniformed personnel at the station, including both Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

Historical Context: Building 84 is significant historically and architecturally. Historically, the building served as the Marine Prison, or "brig," a necessary element for the operation of a very large military base. In addition, the building symbolizes the proliferation of functions at Mare Island, which was always much more than a shipyard. The Marine Corps contingent at Mare Island served as the armed guards of the base, defending sensitive areas of the base as well as serving as the internal police force. This building, as much as any other at Mare Island, symbolizes the presence of the Marine Corps. Architecturally, the building reflects the long tradition of high- MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD Marine Prison (Building 84) HABS No. CA-1543-CA (Page 3)

quality brick masonry construction at Mare Island, a tradition that extended even to utilitarian buildings.

Sources: (See list of sources under HABS Narrative Report for Mare Island Naval Shipyard Historic District.) Project Information: The action causing this documentation to be undertaken is the disposal of historic properties at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in accordance with the Base Realignment and Closure Act, as amended in 1993. Once the transfer occurs, these National Register properties will no longer be afforded the protection of the National Historic Preservation Act. This documentation is a requirement of the MOA among the Navy, SHPO and ACHP reached in accordance with the regulation for the "Protection of Historic Properties," (36 CFR Part 800) implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD Marine Prison (Building 84) HABS No. CA-1543-CA(Page 4)

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