SoMa in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pause traveler and be greatful to Norton 1st
Photographed By Brock Wiley
1. Pause traveler and be greatful to Norton 1st Marker
Emperor of the United States
and Protector of Mexico 1859-80,
whose prophetic wisdom
conceived and decreed the
bridging of San Francisco Bay
August 18 1869
Dedicated by E Clampus Vitus, Feb. 25, 1939
Erected 2022 by E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 37° 47.301′ N, 122° 23.873′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in SoMa. Marker can be reached from Minna Street. Located through the Salesforce Transit Center Grand Hall on Fremont Street, take escalator to Bus Deck, Turn 180 degrees and plaque is on the wall between Bus Bay 7 & 10. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Montgomery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sharon Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shoreline of San Francisco Bay (approx. 0.2 miles away); Liberty Bell Slot Machine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Klockars' Blacksmith Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hobart Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Shoreline of San Francisco Bay
this page online
More about this marker. A Travelers Plaque with its own destiny.
The brethren of the fraternal order of E Clampsus Vitus had planned for a great dedication honoring the late emperor at the San Francisco Transbay Terminal in February of 1939; their members, unofficially known as "Clampers" had hoped that their freshly cast Emperor Norton I plaque could be installed without hesitation and without complication. The newly built bus and rail depot in downtown San Francisco was to serve the adolescent Bay Bridge built a half decade prior (Opening in July of 1933). This colorful group of ebullient historians were to host a series of celebrations lionizing the grand opening of Transbay transit system and the Emperors part in all. (Opening day on January 14th, 1939).
Unfortunately, they did run into some complications and problems arose with how to properly mount the plaque itself. Sources indicate the Clampers tried several methods, and even tried using an epoxy (glue) but the plaque failed to adhere to the still-curing concrete walls of the recently built transbay depot. After multiple failed attempts and futile agreements made for approval for a professional install with the Toll Bridge Authority, the plaque was inadequately shelved til a conclusion could be had. According to E Clampus Vitus archives, the escalation and subsequent U.S. involvement in World War II took much of the steam out of the initial effort to find a different location for the ECV plaque It took 16 years before the plaque was later installed at the Cliff House, San Francisco on the 25th of February of 1955. The plaque remained there for more than 30 years before finally being reunited back to the San Francisco Transbay Terminal.
In November of 1986, a "Re-Re-Re-Dedication" was had by both Yerba Buena, Chapter № 1, and Joaquin Murreita, Chapter № 13 of E Clampus Vitus. An additional plaque was added during this dedication commemorating both the re-dedication and the re-location of this precious piece Bay Area History. In 2010, San Francisco Transbay Terminal conclusively closed and has since been demolished to make way for the improved Salesforce Transit Center. We almost lost our beloved Norton I plaque during this time but thankfully it was recovered during the construction, returned to us, sound and intact.
The plaque has since been restored back to its former glory with special thanks to the DeYoung Museum, ready for the many years ahead. Its thought to have been designed and sculpted by William Gordon Huff (1903-1993), a proud member of our order who created many monuments including The Waving Chief Solano Statue and The wall of Comparative Ovations on the backside of the historic Murphys Old Timers Museum. The Emperor Norton I plaque was originally dedicated to honor the late but never forgotten, Joshua Abraham Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico with his Proclamation submissions to build a suspension bridge between two great bay area cities!
Also see . . .
1. 150 Years Ago, Emperor Norton Called for a Bridge Now Known as the Bay Bridge. NBC news clip, 3:16 (Submitted on March 8, 2024.)
2. Bridge Proclamations (Emperor Norton Trust). (Submitted on March 8, 2024.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2024, by Brock Wiley of Modesto, California. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on February 24, 2024, by Brock Wiley of Modesto, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
