Here, Brian Collett, landscape architect, planner and our Preserve naturalist, shows a view of the Preserve looking across the Napa River/Mare Island Strait from the east towards the southwest. You can see Pier 35 off in the distance as it extends into the Carquinez Strait. The Production Manufacturing Area of the Naval Ammunition Depot is in view directly below you along the river’s shore with the cemetery shown on the slope just to the left. Brian’s water-color drawings truly capture the village-like feel of the place which those who lived and worked here describe. They experienced life at the Naval Ammunition Depot as pastoral and idyllic even though for more than a century, it’s purpose was to build, store, transport and dispose of bombs.

Scroll back up to the top of the page and click on other webpages depicting sketches of views from the south and west and one showing the Ordnance Worker’s Housing as well as his sketch that shows the Preserve Features. Click here for a PDF file of all of Brian’s five sketches and a narrative for each.