Crossing the San Francisco Bay
In 1869, a ferry from a terminal near here finished the journey West for transcontinental railroad passengers.
In 1869, a ferry from a terminal near here finished the journey West for transcontinental railroad passengers. Starting in 1903, a competing company that was eventually called the Key System used local electric trains and connecting ferries to provide a faster, more efficient mode of transportation. The train took passengers part-way across the bay, and the ferry completed the trip to San Francisco. The commute from Berkeley to San Francisco took just 35 minutes! The Bay Bridge was opened in 1939.
Financed by auto, tire and gas corporations in the 1950's, National City Lines bought up and dismantled aging streetcar and electric train systems throughout the United States and replaced them with bus service.
Most cross-bay commuters today use a personal vehicle, and the commute from Berkeley to San Francisco can be more than an hour. Using public transit by bus, ferry, or BART train helps reduce traffic.
Erected 2020 by East Bay Regional Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars
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Location. 37° 49.279′ N, 122° 19.841′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Burma Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Oakland - San Francisco Bay Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Observation Pier (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Oakland Mast (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rear Admiral R.J. "Bear" Arnold, U.S.N. (approx. 1.1 miles away); USS Oakland CL-AA 95 (approx. 1.2 miles away); John "Alex" Alexander (approx. 1.3 miles away); Training Wall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Western Pacific Mole (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the north side of the observation pier at Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
