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

Site of First California State Fair

Photographed by Karen Key, October 18, 2006

1. Site of First California State Fair Marker

Inscription. California’s first state fair was held on this site on October 4, 1854. Sponsored by the California State Agricultural Society, the exhibition of “horses, cattle, mules and other stock, and agricultural, mechanical and domestic manufacture and productions” promoted the new state’s growing agricultural industry. A different city held the fair each year, until Sacramento became the permanent location in 1861.

Erected 1973 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 861.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1854.

Location. 37° 47.458′ N, 122° 24.08′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Financial District. It is on Bush Street east of Montgomery Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located in the middle of the block, next to the parking entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crown Zellerbach Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Chamber of Commerce Building (about 400 feet away); William Alexander Leidesdorff (about 400 feet away); “The Orient Building” (about 400 feet away); San Francisco Mining Exchange (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 18, 2006

2. Site of First California State Fair Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 3,528 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.