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

Pier 1, Working Waterfront: Design and Construction

Pier 1: Design and Construction Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 28, 2020

1. Pier 1: Design and Construction Marker

Inscription. "Some wonderful changes have been effected along the San Francisco water front, and the dilapidated, unsightly buildings which once distorted the bay and street frontages are, happily, gradually giving way to substantive structures, carrying more than a mere suggestion of architectural beauty."
1915

With the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 and the end of the recession of 1920-21, shipping traffic at the Port of San Francisco increased dramatically. As a result, officials embarked on an ambitious program to increase competitiveness by improving or replacing smaller, older piers. Construction on Pier 1 finished in 1931, toward the end of this period of expansion. Like other piers, the building is comprised of two sections. Facing the street is an elegant arched structure called the "bulkhead", which symbolized the importance of the Port as a gateway to the West Coast and Asia and was a source of great civic pride. For loading and unloading cargo from ships, an industrial warehouse "shed" extends out over the water behind the bulkhead. Pier 1 originally housed the office of the Chief Wharfinger, the person responsible for all maritime operations on Port property.

Erected by The AMB.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 37° 47.821′ N, 122° 23.669′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Northern Waterfront. Marker can be reached from The Embarcadero. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pier 1, Working Waterfront: Ferry Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Herb Caen Way (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Piers 1½, 3 & 5 (about 300 feet away); The River Lines (about 300 feet away); Pier 1, Working Waterfront: The 1934 Strike (about 400 feet away); The Embarcadero Freeway (about 400 feet away); Captain Leidesdorff (about 400 feet away); Pier 1, Working Waterfront: Geography & Rail (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Pier 1 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 21, 2022

2. Pier 1 Marker

Pier 1
Listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
By the United States Department of the Interior
1999
Constructed in 1931 and Rehabilitated in 2000

Pier 1: Design and Construction Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 28, 2020

3. Pier 1: Design and Construction Marker - wide view

The marker is visible on the left, mounted up against the building.

Pier 1 Marker at the front of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 16, 2022

4. Pier 1 Marker at the front of the building

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 16, 2022

5. Pier 1

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on September 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4, 5. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.