Financial District in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
William Alexander Leidesdorff
1810 – 1848
City Treasurer • Vice-Consul of the United States to Mexico • Launched the first steamboat to sail the bay (The Sitka) • Built and operated the city’s first hotel (The City Hotel) • Donated the land to build California’s first public school • Member of San Francisco’s first town council • Organized California’s first horse race • Financed the U.S. military’s California campaign in the Mexican American War. • Widely considered to be the United States’ first African-American millionaire.
This statue, sculpted by Bay Area artist Bruce Hasson, pays homage to a true San Francisco visionary who defined the unique spirit of the City by the Bay: innovative, bold, generous and civic-minded.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 37° 47.528′ N, 122° 24.096′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is at the intersection of Pine Street and Liedesdorff Street, on the right on Pine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 344 Pine Street, San Francisco CA 94104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “The Orient Building” (a few steps from this marker); The Old Chamber of Commerce Building (a few steps from this marker); Bank of California (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of First California State Fair (about 400 feet away); William Ingraham Kip (about 500 feet away); Union Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Crown Zellerbach Building (about 500 feet away); Wells, Fargo & Co. (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . . William Alexander Leidesdorff - Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco. Greater tribute may not be given the first pioneer of Negro origin who came to San Francisco, made his contribution and passed on. But the citizen of today—of whatever racial, creed or national origin, migrant like himself—may walk “The City’s” streets with dignity, knowing that Leidesdorff helped immeasurably to establish this right, a hundred years ago. (Submitted on April 18, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.