Guest Post by: Sam Marquit
Millions from all over the world, including residents (like me) of New York City apartments, make the journey to the Western Coast and visit historic San Francisco, California. Native Americans lived here for thousands of years before Spaniards and other European explorers arrived. The many sites of the city include the infamous prison, world famous bridges and an immigration story that rivals New York.
Alcatraz Island
Originally a military fort and prison, Alcatraz became a federal prison in 1934. Touted as escape proof, the facility housed hundreds of the most dangerous and notorious criminals in American history. Famed former inmates included Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” The facility closed in the 1960s because of the expenses involved with maintaining the island. Millions of visitors travel to the destination by ferry to get a glimpse of the cell house interior. The prison also contains a museum that details the island’s history from military installation, through the prison years, and the brief Native American occupation.
Golden Gate Bridge
Designed by Joseph B. Strauss and constructed in 1937, the iconic bridge continues attracting millions of visitors annually. Guests may walk, bike or drive across the 1.7-mile span, which rises 746 feet above the water. Many simply enjoy the view from either end. The north end of the expansion bridge features a naval memorial and the south end has gardens, a café and the bridge pavilion. Historic Fort Point lies under the bridge. Constructed during the Civil War, at the height of the California Gold Rush, the fort protected the harbor until 1970 when the location became a national historic site.
Fisherman’s Wharf
From the days of the California Gold Rush, over a century ago, fishermen docked their boats, set off to sea and returned with their catch to Fisherman’s Wharf. The variety of fresh seafood commonly caught included Dungeness crab. During those early days, there were no restaurants or visitor attractions. On the piers, fishermen set up cauldrons filled with boiling water, cooking the crab and selling their wares. Today, only a few dozen fishing vessels leave port every morning, but the location holds numerous attractions that include historic ferries and schooners at the Maritime National History Park and the SS Jeremiah liberty ship.
Angel Island
Considered the Ellis Island of the West Coast, Angel Island served as an immigration processing location from 1910 to 1940. Over one million Asian immigrants arrived here. Many remained on the island for years because of government restrictions concerning Asian immigration. With government approval, the Chinese American community obtained recognition of the island as a state landmark in 1962.
Chinatown
Having well over 100,000 residents, Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest Asian community outside of China. Hoisanese and Zhongshanese Chinese immigrants began arriving here in 1849. Those who successfully landed in San Francisco developed a community for support, as the new arrivals only possessed blue-collar skills and did not speak the language. The community steadily grew, establishing restaurants, shops and municipalities. Today, the area spans over 24 blocks and features typical Oriental styled buildings, Chinese gardens and a large selection of businesses.
Curbed SF – If you thought the Silicon Valley folks were rolling in dough, those guys have nothing on the original Bay Area whales. From railroads to mining to merchants, the historic money makers of yore dominated the west, and had the luxurious spreads to prove it. Mark Hopkins mansion: bigger than your house [Photo: SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY] The Central Pacific Railroad, the western portion of… read more…
