VALLEJO, CA – On Friday, November 19, the City of Vallejo started the careful process of removing the 167-year old iconic ship mast flag pole from Mare Island's Alden Park for further assessment.
Placed in Alden Park on October 3, 1854, by Naval Commander David Farragut, the flagpole is a historical piece and the central organizing element of the park and surrounding buildings. In addition, the Flag pole and park have been identified as a cultural resource at the federal, state, and local levels.
A third-party contractor who completed a structural assessment of the flagpole presented their findings to the City, revealing various issues that deemed the structure unsafe. The metal base was corroded, and the existing paint, estimated to be 20-30 years old, was severely weathered and peeling, providing very little protection to the pole. In addition, a single significant split in the wood extends nearly the full height of the main mast, and approximately 20-30% of the total material at the base of the pole was found to be completely decayed.
The historic pole was moved to a warehouse on the island where it will be properly stored and cared for. City staff will work with an Architectural Historian to find the most appropriate options to restore and reinstall the pole. Staff intends to include the flagpole repair and rehabilitation in the City's Capital Improvement Program.
To read more about Naval Commander David Farragut, click here.
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