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

Site of Woodward's Gardens

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 18, 2020

1. Site of Woodward's Gardens Marker

Inscription.
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

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(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

Site of Woodward's Gardens Marker - wide view, looking north on Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 18, 2020

2. Site of Woodward's Gardens Marker - wide view, looking north on Mission

The marker is visible here mounted at sidewalk level where the two buildings meet.

was bordered by Mission and Valencia streets to the east and west, and 13th and 15th streets to the north and south. A tunnel ran underneath 14th Street connecting the two walled-in areas of the park, which could both be experienced for 25 cents admission." (Submitted on December 21, 2020.)

<i>At Woodward's Gardens</i> image. Click for full size.

Watkins' Yosemite Art Gallery (courtesy of the California State Library), circa 1875

3. At Woodward's Gardens

"Aerial view of the gardens from the corner of Mission and 14th streets. Streetcars on road to right." - California State Library

<i>Balloon ascension, Woodward's Gardens, S.F.</i> (left half of stereograph) image. Click for full size.

Isiah W. Taber (courtesy of California State Library), circa 1880

4. Balloon ascension, Woodward's Gardens, S.F. (left half of stereograph)

"View of hot air balloon before ascending in Woodward's Gardens. A large crowd of people is seen surrounding the balloon. Animals in pens are seen in the foreground." - California State Library

<i>View in Woodward's Gardens</i>: The Monster Crab! (right half of stereograph) image. Click for full size.

Eadweard J. Muybridge (image courtesy of the California State Library), 1869

5. View in Woodward's Gardens: The Monster Crab! (right half of stereograph)

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.