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

Piers 1½, 3 & 5

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

1. Piers 1½, 3 & 5 Marker

Inscription. Pier 1 ½ and Pier 3 were built in 1917-1919 for use by riverboats to connect San Francisco to Sacramento and the San Joaquin River. Pier 1 ½ was built as a passenger terminal while Pier 3 was used for freight. The central pavilion at Pier 3 is the dominant feature while the secondary openings provide additional access to the breezeway that separates the bulkhead buildings from the shed buildings and water. Decorative iron gates, salvaged during the 2005 renovation of Piers 1 ½, 3, and 5, provided security after regular business hours. This gateway was originally located within this passageway, below the segmented arch.

Erected by Port of San Francisco.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2005.

Location. 37° 47.839′ N, 122° 23.73′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Northern Waterfront. It is on The Embarcadero near Washington Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 The Embarcadero, San Francisco CA 94105, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The River Lines (a few steps from this marker); Herb Caen Way

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(a few steps from this marker); Pier 1, Working Waterfront: Design and Construction (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Embarcadero Freeway (about 300 feet away); Ferry Boats (about 400 feet away); Pier 1, Working Waterfront: Ferry Service (about 400 feet away); Captain Leidesdorff (about 500 feet away); Pier 1, Working Waterfront: The 1934 Strike (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. This marker is located in the public promenade entrance way to Pier 1 1/2.

Piers 1½, 3 & 5 National Register Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

2. Piers 1½, 3 & 5 National Register Marker

Piers 1½, 3 & 5
Central Embarcadero Pier Historic District
Listed in the
National Register
Of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior
2002
Constructed 1918
Rehabilitated 2006

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

3. Piers 1½, 3 & 5 Marker

The marker is located at the far end of the gate.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

4. Piers 1½

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

5. Piers 3

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 8, 2014

6. Piers 5

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,284 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.