What is the history of Fisherman's Wharf?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : San Francisco History : One Thread

When did Fisherman's Wharf become so popular? In addition, what was the year when Fisherman's Wharf became so popular? I really need some background history on Fisherman's Wharf because, its my mid-term in my history class.

-- george gibson (gibsong@mops.wl.com), February 12, 1998

Answers

George,

This is a tough question since the Wharf didn't become popular in any single year. It didn't exactly have a grand opening date like Knotts Berry Farm or Disneyland (which it now resembles), but rather evolved following the 1906 earthquake. Up through the early 1950s it was a very workmanlike area, full of boats, shipyards, fish processing plants, railroad yards, refineries, factories and warehouses.

Locals knew that you could go to the area and buy fresh fish at a good price, and before long some of the Italian families opened nice restaurants amid the clatter and smells. These included Fisherman's Grotto #9, Alioto's, and Scoma's. During the '60s and '70s the Wharf became increasingly popular with tourists and began to loose it's color. Rising rental costs for waterfront properties drove out ship chandlers and boat yards, to be replaced by T-shirt shops and arcades.

I suggest you contact the following museums for more in-depth history of the area:

Museo Italo Americano Fort Mason, Building C; (415) 673-2200. Wed - Sun noon - 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $2, Seniors/students $1.

North Beach Museum Eureka Federal Savings & Loan Association, second floor 1435 Stockton St.; (415) 391-6210. Mon - Thurs 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Good luck!

John Martini Presidio

-- John Martini (John_Martini@nps.gov), February 15, 1998.


I HAVE A VERY LARGE OIL PAINTING OF THE FISHERMANS WARF< PAINTED IN THE 1960s BY LEE REYNOLDS BURR, OF 4 OLD FISHING SAIL BOATS AT A DOCK

-- JERRY G MANNING (BLUEGOOSE63@YAHOO.COM), July 25, 2003.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ