Nov 152011
The Embarcadero
Looking Down and Learning History
Archetypical Gold Rush San Franciscan, Sam Brannan was first in many achievements. He arrived in Yerba Buena by sea in 1846, leading two hundred Mormon pioneers, and founding the city’s first newspaper. He rode through the streets of San Francisco in 1848, announcing the discovery of gold for all to hear. In 1851, he inspired the vigilantes to take the law into their own hands and restore order to a chaotic city. The first California millionaire, he spent his fortune in building Calistoga as a health resort and lost it all. He died in 1889 with a twenty dollar gold piece in his hand.
Pioneer physician in California, Dr. John Townsend and his wife came overland from Missouri in 1844 as part of the first immigrant party to cross the Sierra by way of Truckee. A founding member of the school board in San Francisco in 1847, he was elected town Alcalde (traditional Spanish municipal magistrate) in 1848. He abandoned his office at the first news of the discovery of gold, but later returned to practice medicine at a time when the new city was being swept by epidemics of dysentery and cholera. Moving to a farm near San Jose, Townsend and his wife died of cholera there at the end of 1851.
“A good feeling man, Townsend is much attached to his own opinions, as likewise to the climate and country of California. His wife, a pleasant lady, does not enter into all her husband’s chimerical speculations.” James Clyman, 1845
The wording of an actual hand lettered sign found near this spot circa 1850.Now back to the view
Another history lesson — thank you! It’s great that SF found artisitic ways to share its history.
I’m catching up on reading blogs today. I love this series. What a wonderful way of recording history! I can’t believe the amount of research it must take you to discover all about the art! Thanks for sharing your beautiful city!!
It really is fun to read about SF’s history through it’s street plaques! Whoever thought of doing this had a great idea! Love the good doctor’s view!
What a great way to learn history! And what a view.