Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Shell House, On Railroad Avenue, northwest of Pier 34, Vallejo, Solano County, CA

Significance: The historical significance of this building was in its function as a shell house. Building A6 was one of four shell houses that were clustered between (east of) Building A1 (magazine) and the magazine wharf (on the Napa River). Ships that were scheduled for repairs would unload their explosive powders and shells at the magazine wharf before proceeding to the shipyard. The primary function of the shell house was for the storage of filled (with explosives) shells. Bulk explosive powders were stored in the magazine. The current brick structure, built in 1895, replaced a wooden structure that occupied the site.
Survey number: HABS CA-1543-T
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 75002103