Embarcadero – History of Street Names

 Posted by on November 12, 2011
Nov 122011
 
The Embarcadero
Continuing to look down.
 Vallejo Street

These four are so badly worn, but this is what General Vallejo looked like
It reads: Soldier, land-owner and diplomat, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo started life as the son of a Spanish soldier, and rose from cadet to Commandante of Monterey.  From there he assumed command of the Presidio of Yerba Buena and later was made General of all Northern Forces in California.  Founder of Sonoma, Vallejo, and Benicia.  Vallejo became the most influential Californian in the decade leading to the American conquest.  Early on General Vallejo clearly foresaw the fate of the country and through his many acts of friendship to American immigrants he became the diplomatic bridge that joined two cultures.
“The Yankees are wonderful people.  If they emigrated to hell itself, they would somehow manage to change the climate.”  General Mariano Vallejo

In 1845, W.D.M. Howard opened a store in Yerba Buena with Henry Mellus and in 1848, bought out the Hudson Bay Trading Company one week before Marshall found gold.  With well-supplied stores in Sacramento, San Jose and San Francisco, Howard developed his waterfront property and Rancho San Mateo.  A gifted mimic he improvised theatricals, serenading his friends with invitations to his midnight champagne suppers.  Actively generous, Howard funded the city’s first public school, first hospital, first fire engine, and first churches.  Over six feel tall with a portly build, a direct gaze, and a deep persuasive voice, Howard organized the California National Guard, presided over the Society of California Pioneers, and chartered the Vigilance Committee.  His early death, at age 37 revealed the extent of his many hidden charities.

Howards living depended on sea trade
Looking up Howard Street today.

I don’t know why there wasn’t a bio plaque for Folsom, and instead I found this way off in a corner.  This is far more appropriate for Sam Brannan,  I wonder if the installer got something wrong.

According to Wikipedia Folsom was a U.S. Army officer and real estate investor in the early days of California’s statehood. He is the founder of what is now Folsom, California. Folsom’s controversial purchase of Rancho Rio de los Americanos from the heirs of a San Francisco merchant William Alexander Leidesdorff remained tied up in litigation for many years, eventually reaching the Supreme Court of California after Folsom’s death.

The view while standing at the plaques on Folsom
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  4 Responses to “Embarcadero – History of Street Names”

  1. RedPat says:
    November 12, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    Love these! This type of thing is so interesting.

  2. Helen Campbell says:
    November 13, 2011 at 1:58 am

    Wonderful photos and great info about the area.

  3. Jeanette says:
    November 13, 2011 at 5:22 am

    Such wonderful plaques. They are indeed very interesting.
    Vallejo’s sideburns and Folsom’s mustache were really something, so thick and scruffy.
    Nice Post!

  4. Oakland Daily Photo says:
    November 13, 2011 at 6:58 am

    History literally at your feet. Amazing.

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