Photograph courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
Mare Island was founded on September 18, 1854, to aid in the naval defense of the newly acquired Pacific Coast lands from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. It became into one of the busiest shipyards for naval vessels in the world during World War II.
It was the main submarine port serving the West Coast during its last 25 years of operation.
Before the yard closed in 1996, more than 500 navy warships were built and hundreds more were refurbished.
“Commander David Glasgow Farragut, of Spanish heritage, oversaw the building of the new naval facility and was also in charge of it from 1854 until 1858.”
How did Mare Island get its Name?
The island is given the new name "Isla de la Yegua," or Mare Island, by General Mariano Vallejo, 1830. According to the story, an old raft carrying the general's white mare is said to have gone overboard from a barge while being transported across the San Pablo Bay, only to turn up on shore a few days later. The mare managed to save herself by swimming to land and found to be residing on the island.
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