Monthly Archives: January 2012

A coming economic crash

Posted on January 31, 2012 by John Putnam

In spite of the efforts of San Franciscans to maintain and even expand business in 1854 the strain of over speculation and extravagance had impeded the natural progress to the extent that there had to be a reaction more severe … Continue reading →

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San Francisco expands trade

Posted on January 30, 2012 by John Putnam

Even while business in San Francisco was in the throes of a depression, efforts were made to reach out for more trade. Commodore Perry signed a treaty with Japan on March 31, 1854 that for the first time in history … Continue reading →

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Fort Point and the defense of San Francisco

Posted on January 29, 2012 by John Putnam

About the same time as the business depression occurred, efforts by the United States government to fortify the harbor at San Francisco got underway. While measures to this end had begun soon after the end of the Mexican War very … Continue reading →

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The 1854 depression slows

Posted on January 26, 2012 by John Putnam

The lowest point of the business depression of 1854 was passed by the middle of the year. The public auction of twenty-two lots of the Government Reserve on the block bounded by Pacific, Broadway, Front and Davis Streets made over … Continue reading →

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Early burials in Yerba Buena

Posted on January 25, 2012 by John Putnam

The first burials in Yerba Buena, before the small town was renamed San Francisco, and besides those laid to rest in the consecrated ground at Mission Delores, generally took place on the hills surrounding the village. At the brow of … Continue reading →

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A cemetery for San Francisco

Posted on January 24, 2012 by John Putnam

A private company that had taken possession of a tract of land about two and a half miles west of Portsmouth Square, essentially by squatting on it, dedicated the land in a religious service and sermon by Edward D. Baker … Continue reading →

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The first San Francisco Mint

Posted on January 23, 2012 by John Putnam

Because there had been a severe shortage of coins for legal transactions in California from the very beginning of the gold rush, and transporting raw gold to the US mints in New Orleans and Philadelphia then shipping freshly minted coins … Continue reading →

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San Francisco real estate prices fall

Posted on January 22, 2012 by John Putnam

Early in 1854 a major economic depression hit San Francisco. The once rich placer gold deposits were almost gone and expensive quartz crushing machinery was needed to sustain gold production. Miners who lacked the resources to buy such equipment were … Continue reading →

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The California Steam Navigation Company

Posted on January 19, 2012 by John Putnam

At about the same time that gas was introduced into San Francisco there were more improvements underway. Proposals to cut down all the hills in the city and use the dirt to fill in the hollows were modified and the … Continue reading →

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The gold rush laundry business

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John Putnam

In San Francisco during the early days water cost at least a bit a bucket, or two buckets for a quarter, quite a lot of money back then. Consequently only the washing of clothes that was considered indispensable was done … Continue reading →

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