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

Site of San Francisco’s First Book Store

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 14, 2014

1. Site of San Francisco’s First Book Store Marker

Inscription. John Hamilton Still
Arrived in California September 16, 1849, and was San Francisco’s first book dealer. He opened a store on the west side of Portsmouth Plaza in the Fall of 1849, where he remained until the Spring of 1850.

Erected 1965 by Mrs. William Ely Chambers and the Society of California Pioneers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1874.

Location. 37° 47.678′ N, 122° 24.352′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is on Walter U Lum Place near Clay Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Walter U Lum Place, San Francisco CA 94108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of the First Public School in California (within shouting distance of this marker); Raising of the American Flag (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birthplace of a Great City (within shouting distance of this marker); California Star (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Smith Hallidie

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Hanlin Tea Restaurant / 翰林茶館 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home of Benjamen Chinn (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 14, 2014

2. Site of San Francisco’s First Book Store Marker

The marker is located to the right of the entrance.

Plaque on the left side of the entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 14, 2014

3. Plaque on the left side of the entrance.

The plaque reads:

Chinese for affirmative action dedicates this building to Lien-Ying Kuo (former Congressman in China) and Simmone Eing Ru Loo Kuo, master teachers of Tai-Chi Chuan in the United States, and to their son Chung Mei Kuo for their donation of this building and contributions to the Chinese American Community. CAA reaffirms to Masters Kuo and the community our commitment to promote equality and justice for all Chinese Americans.

Dedicated on March 29, 1985
San Francisco, California

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.