What is the historic relevance of a forest, a garden, a farm, or even a cemetery? Each of these can be an example of a “cultural landscape.” Cultural landscapes are places associated with an historic event, activity, person, or group of people. In short, these places tell the story of human history just as buildings do.

The Presidio in its entirety is a National Historic Landmark District, in part because of its designed landscapes. The Presidio’s transformation from mostly open dunes into a richly forested and designed setting is one of the Army’s most impressive accomplishments in landscape architecture. The park’s 300-acre historic forest, the Main Parade Ground, the golf course, San Francisco National Cemetery, and historic gardens all contribute to the Presidio’s landmark status. These places serve as powerful reminders of how people shaped the land at the Presidio. Examples include:

San Francisco National Cemetery

Established in 1884, the 27-acre San Francisco National Cemetery is a poignant reminder of the Presidio as a place of service and sacrifice. The cemetery is the final resting place for 30,000 people, including 35 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and 450 Buffalo Soldiers, African-American regiments established by Congress in 1866 to patrol America’s western frontier. A major Memorial Day commemoration takes place here each year.

Presidio Golf Course

Founded in 1895 with just 9-holes, Presidio Golf Course is one of the oldest courses on the West Coast. During the Spanish American War, it was used for military training. A refuge camp was established on the course after the 1906 earthquake. The course was later expanded to its current 18-hole size. Traditionally restricted to military officers, today the course and its newly constructed clubhouse are open to the public. Presidio Golf Course has been recognized as a leader in environmentally sensitive golf course management.

Residential Neighborhoods

The Presidio’s designed landscapes create a rich sense of place. Among the landscapes are formal plantings around homes and buildings. These ornamental shrubs, trees, lawns, and ground covers provide a visual accent. Some have been present for more than one hundred years. The landscapes around homes in many of the Presidio’s historic neighborhoods have been restored, including along Kobbe Avenue. These majestic residences were constructed between 1902 and 1915 as officers’ quarters for the coast artillery.