Financial District in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Commander John B. Montgomery's Landing Site

July 11, 2021

1. Commander John B. Montgomery's Landing Site Marker

Inscription. On July 9, 1846, in the early morning, in “the days when water came up to Montgomery Street,” Commander John B. Montgomery – for whom Montgomery Street was named – landed near this spot from the U.S. Sloop-of-War “Portsmouth,” to raise the Stars and Stripes on the plaza, now Portsmouth Square, one block to the west.

Erected 1915 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1902.

Location. 37° 47.677′ N, 122° 24.181′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Financial District. It is at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Clay Street, on the right when traveling north on Montgomery Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Montgomery Street, San Francisco CA 94111, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bank of Italy (here, next to this marker); "The Family" (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell (within shouting distance of this marker); Hudson's Bay Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Pony Express (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of First U.S. Branch Mint (within shouting distance of this marker); The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Site of Eureka Lodgings (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . California Landmark 81 - noehill.com.

Bank of San Francisco Building, formerly the Bank of Italy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2012

2. Bank of San Francisco Building, formerly the Bank of Italy

The marker is located at the corner of Montgomery and Clay Streets on the Montgomery Street side of the building.

"Seventy years after the American Revolution, Yerba Buena was a remote Mexican pueblo of about 450 souls. This changed on July 9, 1846, when the United States warship Portsmouth anchored in Yerba Buena Cove, and Capt. John B. Montgomery rowed ashore with a small detachment of sailors and marines to raise the American flag in the plaza." (Submitted on August 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 12, 2021. 2. submitted on August 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.