Mare Island Eagle

Vallejo, California

This 19th century carved eagle once topped a military building, and merits mention because someone had the presence of mind to preserve it in an unattended, outdoor glass display.

The 7-ft. long carving of America's national bird clutches a quiver of arrows. It was installed on top of building 47 on June 19, 1876, according to Mare Island's official Naval shipyard log. The plaque notes: "Assumed it was in connection with the centennial celebration of the United States."

For over a century the eagle perched there, peering out through all flavors of San Pablo Bay weather. In 1985, the "badly deteriorated" bird was removed and painstakingly restored. It was placed into a ground-level display in front of the Administration Building.

The Navy moved out, most of the buildings are vacant, and the eagle has been cooking in its sealed, four-sided glass box. The patriotic predator endures, but his explanatory sign is sun-faded and almost unreadable.