MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT

San Diego’s Recruit Depot is the oldest operating Marine Corps installation on the West Coast.  The quaint Spanish Colonial Revival ambience of the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) belies the fact that this sprawling facility on Barnett Avenue is the place where, since 1923, hundreds of thousands of young men have endured the rigors of boot camp and emerged with bodies toned by physical conditioning and minds proud in the knowledge that they are members of America’s number one fighting force.

If the arches and tiled roofs remind you of Balboa Park, it is because that the same architect who designed the buildings in the Prado area for the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition, Bertram Goodhue, is also responsible for the design and overall site plan of 25 buildings at MCRD.  Yesterday’s legends still speak on Depot Streets.  The installation has had many associations with Hollywood, including providing technical assistance to and serving as filming site for several movies, including the 1926 blockbuster, TELL IT TO THE MARINES.

The Command Museum, which occupies Building 26, is dedicated to the preservation of the illustrious history and time-honored traditions of the Marine Corps.  It is open to the public, free of charge.  Museum hours are Monday-Saturday 8-4, (Thursdays untiil 4:30 p.m.),   Exhibits trace the history and mission of the Recruit Depot and Marine Corps activities in Southern California and participation in 20th century armed conflict through uniforms, weapons, vehicles, medals and decorations paintings, and historic photographs.  Visitors to the Depot can witness the training of recruits on the parade deck, and feel the pride and emotion of a Thursday morning emblem ceremony and Friday morning graduation.