Historic Landmarks of San Francisco

Much of San Francisco's northeastern waterfront is built on filled land. This area is quite flat when compared to the rest of the City's hilly terrain. That part of Market Street between First Street and the Ferry Building was once underwater.

A tablet marking the former extent of the Bay rests in the sidewalk on the east side of Bush Street as it curves around to meet Market. This area is now known as Mechanics Monument Plaza. This plaque, placed in 1921 by the Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West, includes a map showing a large segment of the old shoreline in its relationship to the modern streets of downtown San Francisco. In the photograph below the tablet would be located near the traffic sign next to the red bicycle.

A second tablet is to be found across Market Street at the southwest corner of its intersection with First Street. This plaque is also embedded in the sidewalk.