Historic Landmarks of San Francisco

Exterior of the US Mint building
The Conservancy
Sherman's Bank
Sarcophagus of Thomas Starr King
Presidio of San Francisco
The Conservancy
Site of First US Branch Mint in California
A note on the content

Much of the content on this site was created in 1976, and the text herein often refers to that year. This material was intended to be published at that time; it never was. But through the magic of the internet, it has been resurrected in the form you see. The great thing about most historic sites, and the plaques that commemorate them, is that they don’t change much, if at all, through time. Telegraph Hill is still Telegraph Hill, and Union Square is still Union Square. So the stuff I wrote in that remote, antediluvian time is still for the most part valid today. I have, nonetheless, carefully reviewed the text and made changes and updates where appropriate.

Welcome to the historic landmarks of San Francisco!

For San Francisco 1976 is a twin bicentennial, the anniversary of the founding of both the Nation and the City.

It seems therefore particularly appropriate for residents and visitors alike to become more aware of the City's past. One way of reaching this goal is by visiting the 48 registered California Historical Landmarks to be found within San Francisco.

Anyone who has traveled in California has seen the handsome bronze plaques which designate State Historical Landmarks. These tablets are placed at sites of "statewide historical significance" which have "anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other values", according to the State Department of Parks and Recreation handbook California Historical Landmarks. A seven member advisory committee appointed by the Governor determines whether a given site is worthy of landmark status or not. There are well over 800 such landmarks throughout the state, with new ones being added each year.

Not all sites have official state plaques. Some have tablets provided by private organizations, e.g. the Native Sons of Daughters of the Golden West, the California Historical Society, the Society of California Pioneers, the Daughters of the American Revolution, etc., while other sites remain unmarked.

Go To Landmarks Page