Japantown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park
1814 - 1904
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 18, 2015
1. Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park Marker
She supported the western terminus of the underground railway for fugitive slaves, 1850-1865. This legendary pioneer once lived on this site and planted these six trees.
Placed by the San Francisco African-American Historical and Cultural Society.
Erected by San Francisco African-American Historical and Cultural Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights.
Location. 37° 47.267′ N, 122° 25.617′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Japantown. Marker is at the intersection of Octavia Street and Bush Street, on the right when traveling south on Octavia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1661 Octavia Streety, San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. House of Gerhard F. Terschuren (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Soto Mission of San Francisco (about 600 feet away); Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Uoki Sakai (approx. 0.2 miles away); Issei Women's Legacy
this page online
More about this marker. Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park is the smallest park in San Francisco.
Also see . . . Don’t call her Mammy - The New Fillmore entry. In 1852, Pleasant came to San Francisco, fleeing prosecution under the Fugitive Slave Act for her work leading people from slavery to freedom. She continued that work in California, sheltering people who escaped slavery and finding employment for them. She met at least once with abolitionist John Brown and gave him money to help with the cause. In accordance with her wishes, her tombstone, in Napa, states: “She was a Friend of John Brown.” (Submitted on July 16, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
via The New Fillmore, 1901
2. Mary Ellen Pleasant
August 23, 2020
3. Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 18, 2015
4. Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 18, 2015
5. Trees planted by Mary Ellen Pleasant
6. Mary Ellen Pleasant
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 16, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on January 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on August 24, 2020. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
