Port of Richmond, California

Like the town itself, the port of Richmond is a product of World War II and oil. Though the principal channel (the Santa Fe channel) began to be dredged in the 1920's, it wasn't until Henry Kaiser built four shipyards at the port during World War II, that the infrastructure was laid for the port as we see it today. Richmond was the largest war-time shipbuilding operation on the West Coast. Over 700 ships were made at Richmond's four Kaiser yards during World War II. Yard 2 is now a pleasure boat marina, and 1 and 4 have been integrated into port operations. Yard 3 at the tip of the port was maintained in reserve after the war, and is a ship repair facility today. Now bulk commodities such gypsum, petroleum, and scrap metal, dominate most of the port area, which currently consists of five city-owned terminals, in addition to ten privately owned ones. The port of Richmond also serves as a major entry point for automobiles from Asia. Protecting the port from waves is Brooks Island, once a quarry and a private hunt club used by the likes of Bing Crosby.