FoundSF

Unfinished History

Meiggs Wharf, seen in this photo from the slopes of Telegraph Hill extending northward into the bay sometime between 1865-1875, started from the corner of today's Powell and Francisco Streets, now many blocks from the shoreline.

Photo: J.J. Reilly, courtesy Getty collection

A view in 1870 from Russian Hill showing Meiggs Wharf off the shores of North Beach.

Photo: John P. Soule, courtesy Getty collection

By the 1880s, Meiggs Wharf has enclosed and filled in a substantial portion of the bay waters and become an important lumber receiving dock in the burgeoning redwood trade of the late 19th century.

Photo: R.J. Waters, courtesy Getty collection

Meiggs Wharf was home to a famous tourist attraction in 19th century San Francisco, Abe Warner's Cobweb Palace.