“Ever wonder why these piers have such low numbers?” I ask. Today we are standing at San Francisco Pier 1. It is a key part of the Central Embarcadero Piers Historic District. This district includes Piers 1, 1½, 3, and 5. These piers form one of the largest surviving pier complexes along San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront road.
Construction of these piers spanned over a decade. Frank G. White was the Chief Engineer of the State Harbor Commission. Piers 1, 1½, 3, and 5 opened in 1918. Unlike the piers south of the Ferry Building that used Mission and Gothic Revival styles, these piers used Beaux-Arts architecture. This style is similar to New York City’s Chelsea Piers.
The timber-frame bulkhead buildings are covered in stucco. Each building has two stories. They are punctuated by two-story arches. Behind these formal buildings are the working areas of the port. Concrete or timber piers extend east. They connect to the wharves where the bulkhead buildings rest. Steel truss and timber-frame buildings accommodate the loading and unloading of ships. Open aprons allow for circulation.
Pier 1 and its neighbors were dedicated to inland trade and transport. These piers helped communities grow in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. They fostered California’s agricultural business. This led the state to become the richest in the nation. It also became the fifth largest economy in the world.
The Delta King and Delta Queen provided overnight connections. They traveled between San Francisco and Sacramento from Pier 1½. This made it an important gateway for public travel to the interior of the state. Pier 3 and Pier 5 mainly served freight shipping. Various companies shared the bulkhead office and warehouse spaces. The transit sheds originally extended more than 700 feet east from the Embarcadero wharf.
During World War II, San Francisco’s waterfront piers played a crucial role. The waterfront became a military logistics center. Troops, equipment, and supplies left the port for the Pacific theater. Almost every pier and wharf was involved in military activities. Troop ships and naval vessels tied up all along the Embarcadero. The military set up antiaircraft guns and searchlights at piers along the waterfront from 1941 to 1942. The Coast Guard, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Maritime Service Enrolling Office occupied Pier 5.
After the war, the piers fell into disuse. Ports in Oakland, Alameda, and Richmond were better equipped for containerization. However, Piers 1½ and 5 found new uses. The Passenger Waiting Room of Pier 1½ became an architect’s waterfront office. The bulkheads of Piers 1½ and 5 were used as professional office space. Many piers were demolished, but Piers 1 ½, 3, and 5 remain visible from the Ferry Building and Market Street.
In January 2001, Pacific Waterfront Partners, LLC was selected to redevelop Piers 1½, 3, and 5. The project focused on preserving the historic maritime design. It also enhanced public use and access to the waterfront.
You might wonder about Pier 1 Imports. Did its name come from Pier 1? It is possible. Pier 1 also offers a boating dock for public use. You can tie your boat up free for three hours. A water taxi service is available here. You can sail to Fisherman’s Wharf or the ballpark for a small fee. La Mar, an upscale Peruvian restaurant, is also at Pier 1 ½. It specializes in ceviche.
So, as you explore Pier 1, remember its rich history. It played a vital role in San Francisco’s growth and development. It stands as a testament to the city’s maritime past. It continues to evolve. It offers new experiences for locals and visitors alike.