Tiburon in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

1895 Ark Houseboat

104 Main Street

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 3, 2013

1. 1895 Ark Houseboat Marker

Inscription. Probably relocated from Belvedere Cove.
Originally sited at 90 Main Street.
Village Savage Shop downstairs in ‘60s.

Erected by Historic Ark Row.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 52.43′ N, 122° 27.508′ W. Marker is in Tiburon, California, in Marin County. Marker is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 Main Street, Belvedere Tiburon CA 94920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1920 Victorian Cottage (a few steps from this marker); 1920 Folk Victorian Cottage (a few steps from this marker); 1920 Folk Victorian Dwelling (a few steps from this marker); 1890 Folk Victorian Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); 1906 Arks Victorian Influence (within shouting distance of this marker); 1890’s Drawbridge Gatehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); 1870’s Ranch Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Fleming Rooming House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiburon.

Also see . . . Lewis Ark Houseboat - Noehill

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. Lewis Ark is approximately 50 feet long and 20 feet wide, with a rounded, barge-like bottom and a one story residential section. The actual house is divided into six rooms. A roofed veranda encloses the ark proper, with two stairs affording public access to the ark. Originally, the stairs were not part of the structure but were added when the Ark became part of the Hyde Street Pier collection in 1969. The wood is painted with the Ark's historic color scheme, white with green trim. (Submitted on October 15, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. A fish out of water?
According to the Discover Tiburon pamphlet, “…Main Street is known as “Ark Row” because of the 1890s recreational houseboat lifestyle enjoyed in Belvedere Cove by sea captains, Bohemian artists and summer residents. In winter, the arks anchored in the Tiburon lagoon. After 1900, the craze for arks waned. Some docked along the lagoon shoreline and were converted to permanent local housing. Part of the filled-in lagoon (1930s) became the parking lot behind the shops.”

— Submitted August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Historic plaque on the side of the house image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

2. Historic plaque on the side of the house

1895 Ark Houseboat and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 3, 2013

3. 1895 Ark Houseboat and Marker

1895 Ark Houseboat image. Click for full size.

August 11, 2020

4. 1895 Ark Houseboat

Rear of the house image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

5. Rear of the house

Rear of the house and historic plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022

6. Rear of the house and historic plaque

As seen from the parking lot, formally the Tiburon Lagoon

1895 Ark Houseboat illustration image. Click for full size.

August 11, 2020

7. 1895 Ark Houseboat illustration

Many of the Historic Ark Row structures, including this one, have hand-painted illustrations of how they may have looked in the past.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 15, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on October 15, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on August 12, 2020. 5, 6. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 7. submitted on August 12, 2020. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.