Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Francisco Bay "Ark"
This little houseboat, referred to locally as an ark, was one of several dozen boats for San Francisco families in Belvedere Cove, near Tiburon in Marin County.
Reputedly built for the McGinnis family sometime prior to 1900, this ark was hauled ashore about 1923 and passed through several hands before being donated to the museum in 1969.
Summer aboard the arks was an idyllic time. The boats were brightly painted and glowed at night with colorful Japanese lanterns. Evenings were spent visiting between boats in neatly finished rowboats.
BASIC FACTS:
Built: c. 1890-1900
Builder: Unknown
Length Overall - 44 feet
Beam on Deck - 25 feet, 6 inches
Draft - 2 feet
Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 48.483′ N, 122° 25.25′ W. Marker was in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It was in Fisherman's Wharf. Marker could be reached from Hyde Street near Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2950 Hyde Street, San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Lewis Bay Ark (here, next to this marker); Petaluma’s Sternwheel (a few steps from this marker); Wapama’s Engine (a few steps from this marker); Steam Donkey Engine (a few steps from this marker); The South End Rowing Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanitation at Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Why Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. Hyde Street Pier, part of the San Francisco Maritime Nation Historical Park, is located at the bottom of Hyde Street.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Replacement Marker: Lewis Bay Ark
Also see . . . San Francisco Bay Ark. Addition photographs of San Francisco Bay "Arks." (Submitted on March 6, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker replaced
The marker has been replaced with an updated marker.
— Submitted October 8, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
Additional keywords. Houseboat
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 6, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.