Fourth Stop: Fort McDowell

In 1910 the Army began a major building program on the east side of Angel Island, using military prisoners from the Army Prison on Alcatraz as labor. The post headquarters moved to the new garrison, which became the East Garrison of Fort McDowell.

Fort McDowell was very active during World War I, serving as a Recruit Depot for men entering the Army. Men drafted in the western states were sent to Fort McDowell, and enlisted men returning from Hawaii and the Philippines were processed at the post. About 4,000 men per month passed through Fort McDowell during this period. Following World War I, military activity declined and Fort McDowell became the Overseas Discharge and Replacement Depot in 1922. More than 300,000 soldiers were shipped to the Pacific Theater of Operations through Fort McDowell.

The busiest period for the post was around the time World War I ended. About 23,632 returning men were processed during December, 1945, the busiest month in the post’s history.

--Many men were enlisted in the United States Army through Fort McDowell. This is a place of much historical significance at this location. People from all over the west were forced to pass through as part of the