Site of Woodward's Gardens
Woodward's Gardens occupied the block bounded by Mission, Duboce, Valencia and 14th Streets, with the main entrance on Mission Street. R.B. Woodward opened his gardens to the public in 1866, as an amusement park catering to all tastes. It was San Francisco's most popular resort until it closed in 1892.
Erected 1949 by California Centennials Commission, Society of California Pioneers. (Marker Number 454.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 37° 46.189′ N, 122° 25.218′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Mission District. Marker is at the intersection of Mission Street and 13th Street, on the right when traveling south on Mission Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louis Roesch Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Coast Miwok (approx. 0.4 miles away); California Volunteers' Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Industrial Age (approx. 0.4 miles away); King of the Road! (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mint Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Jackson Brewery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elixir (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. The marker is mounted at sidewalk level and can be easy enough to miss.
This marker is for California State Historical Landmark No. 454.
Also see . . .
1. Woodward’s Gardens: A Closer Look. Open SF History website entry:
"The best comparison one can make today to explain the role Woodward’s Gardens played in San Francisco is to imagine the de Young Museum, Academy of Sciences, Botanical Gardens, San Francisco Zoo, and Conservatory of Flowers combined into a block and a half—then add balloon ascensions, instrumental band concerts, a boardwalk sideshow, and rotating companies of circus performers." (Submitted on December 21, 2020.)
2. The Mission District once housed a circus-like amusement park.... SFGate website entry:
June 19, 2019 - "The concept may seem crazy now, but the Mission District used to be home to a combination of park, museum, zoo, amusement park, with the country's first aquarium tucked inside....A five-acre park known as Woodward's Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.