Military Relics: Skaggs Island

Welcome to Skaggs Island ::::: A Top Secret radio surveillance and cryptologic communications installation operated by the Navy, near Sonoma, California.Welcome to Skaggs Island ::::: A Top Secret radio surveillance and cryptologic communications installation operated by the Navy, near Sonoma, California.
Building 21 ::::: Only the highest security clearance could get you inside this building.Building 21 ::::: Only the highest security clearance could get you inside this building.
Portal 21 ::::: Now you can just walk right in.Portal 21 ::::: Now you can just walk right in.
21 Steps ::::: 21 Steps :::::
Seal Hole ::::: Navy SEALs, practicing forced entry techniques, have blasted neat circular holes all over Building 21s concrete walls and roof.Seal Hole ::::: Navy SEALs, practicing forced entry techniques, have blasted neat circular holes all over Building 21s concrete walls and roof.
Eastern Exposure ::::: Second floor office in Building 21, overlooking the marshes and Vallejo, miles away.Eastern Exposure ::::: Second floor office in Building 21, overlooking the marshes and Vallejo, miles away.
Mold Climbs the Walls ::::: Mold Climbs the Walls :::::
Blackout Contactor ::::: Electrical panel in Top Secret Building 21.Blackout Contactor ::::: Electrical panel in Top Secret Building 21.
Sunset Powerhouse ::::: Sunset Powerhouse :::::
One Chair ::::: The power station.One Chair ::::: The power station.
The Soothing Color ::::: The Soothing Color :::::
Number Nine ::::: Number Nine :::::
Return All Tools ::::: The ghosts of missing tools in the Motor Pool building.Return All Tools ::::: The ghosts of missing tools in the Motor Pool building.
Plenty of Parking at Skaggs ::::: The bunker-like dorm and cafeteria buildings.Plenty of Parking at Skaggs ::::: The bunker-like dorm and cafeteria buildings.
Mess Hall Truck Tire ::::: The dorms from inside the cafeteria.Mess Hall Truck Tire ::::: The dorms from inside the cafeteria.
Two Pumps, No Waiting ::::: By the motor pool complex.Two Pumps, No Waiting ::::: By the motor pool complex.
The Commanding View ::::: Located near the main gate, the 2-story CO's house overlooks the entire residential section of the base.The Commanding View ::::: Located near the main gate, the 2-story CO's house overlooks the entire residential section of the base.
Fireplug ::::: Just a few of the dozens of dilapidated homes, quietly decaying. Once a thriving community, it’s now a lonely ghost town.Fireplug ::::: Just a few of the dozens of dilapidated homes, quietly decaying. Once a thriving community, it’s now a lonely ghost town.
Second Avenue ::::: Second Avenue :::::
The Fear ::::: That's a dishwasher.The Fear ::::: That's a dishwasher.
Gazebo Crumble ::::: Gazebo Crumble :::::
Stop Being ::::: Stop Being :::::
Building 12 ::::: Building 12 :::::
Reflecting on the Rec Center ::::: Record rainfall flooded much of the base in 2005.Reflecting on the Rec Center ::::: Record rainfall flooded much of the base in 2005.
Frog Farm ::::: Thousands of them, croaking in the moonlight.Frog Farm ::::: Thousands of them, croaking in the moonlight.
The Canals of Skaggs ::::: The Canals of Skaggs :::::
The Sky Moves Sideways ::::: The Sky Moves Sideways :::::
The Blue Mirror ::::: The Blue Mirror :::::
  • Welcome to Skaggs Island ::::: A Top Secret radio surveillance and cryptologic communications installation operated by the Navy, near Sonoma, California.
  • Building 21 ::::: Only the highest security clearance could get you inside this building.
  • Portal 21 ::::: Now you can just walk right in.
  • 21 Steps :::::
  • Seal Hole ::::: Navy SEALs, practicing forced entry techniques, have blasted neat circular holes all over Building 21s concrete walls and roof.
  • Eastern Exposure ::::: Second floor office in Building 21, overlooking the marshes and Vallejo, miles away.
  • Mold Climbs the Walls :::::
  • Blackout Contactor ::::: Electrical panel in Top Secret Building 21.
  • Sunset Powerhouse :::::
  • One Chair ::::: The power station.
  • The Soothing Color :::::
  • Number Nine :::::
  • Return All Tools ::::: The ghosts of missing tools in the Motor Pool building.
  • Plenty of Parking at Skaggs ::::: The bunker-like dorm and cafeteria buildings.
  • Mess Hall Truck Tire ::::: The dorms from inside the cafeteria.
  • Two Pumps, No Waiting ::::: By the motor pool complex.
  • The Commanding View ::::: Located near the main gate, the 2-story CO's house overlooks the entire residential section of the base.
  • Fireplug ::::: Just a few of the dozens of dilapidated homes, quietly decaying. Once a thriving community, it’s now a lonely ghost town.
  • Second Avenue :::::
  • The Fear ::::: That's a dishwasher.
  • Gazebo Crumble :::::
  • Stop Being :::::
  • Building 12 :::::
  • Reflecting on the Rec Center ::::: Record rainfall flooded much of the base in 2005.
  • Frog Farm ::::: Thousands of them, croaking in the moonlight.
  • The Canals of Skaggs :::::
  • The Sky Moves Sideways :::::
  • The Blue Mirror :::::

Skaggs Island was a Top Secret radio surveillance and cryptologic communications installation operated by the Navy.  Opened in 1941, it was hidden in plain sight, between Sonoma and San Francisco Bay. Several antennas, miles across, were built in the surrounding marshlands.  They were used to intercept secret radio communications from all around the globe and the cryptologists stationed there would then decode them.  The base contained over 100 buildings including dozens of houses, a mess hall, recreation center, bachelor’s quarters, and administrative buildings.

In 1993 Skaggs Island was decommissioned and simply abandoned.  Over the years security was hit and miss at best. In 2005 and ’06 the gate was frequently left open and I was able to just drive right onto the base several times.  I frequently had to dodge late night vandals and copper thieves who were methodically destroying the site, building by building.

In 2011 the entire base was razed and turned back into marshlands.  All the structures you see in this set are gone.

All the images in this set were reprocessed and replaced, June, 2024.