Frank McCoppin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank McCoppin
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| 11th Mayor of San Francisco | |
| In office December 2, 1867 – December 4, 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Perrin Coon |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Henry Selby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1834 County Longford, Ireland |
| Died | May 26, 1897 (aged 62) San Francisco, California |
Frank McCoppin (born July 4, 1834 – died May 26, 1897) was an important figure in San Francisco history. He was the first Mayor of San Francisco who was born in another country, specifically Ireland.
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Frank McCoppin's Early Life and Career
Frank McCoppin was born in County Longford, Ireland. He worked as a police officer in Ireland from 1851 to 1853. After that, he moved to the U.S. in 1853 to start a new life.
In 1860, McCoppin became a supervisor for the Market Street Railway in San Francisco. He had a clever idea to plant trees and bushes along the railway tracks. This helped stop sand from blowing onto the tracks, which was a big problem back then.
Becoming Mayor of San Francisco
Soon after his work with the railway, Frank McCoppin was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This group helps run the city. His hard work led him to be elected as the Mayor of San Francisco in 1867. He served as mayor from December 2, 1867, to December 5, 1869.
During his time as mayor, McCoppin and the Board of Supervisors made a very important decision. On January 14, 1868, they approved the plan to create Golden Gate Park. This park is now one of the most famous parks in the world!
However, there were some questions about whether McCoppin was a full U.S. citizen when he was a supervisor. These questions caused him to lose the election in 1869.
Later Public Service and Legacy
Even after his time as mayor, Frank McCoppin continued to serve the public. He later served two terms in the California State Senate, helping to make laws for the state of California.
In 1894, the U.S. President at the time, Grover Cleveland, chose McCoppin to be the Postmaster of San Francisco. This meant he was in charge of all the mail services in the city. He held this job until he passed away on May 26, 1897.
McCoppin is also remembered for a smart idea that helped farmers. He suggested using ladybugs to control harmful insects that were damaging California's citrus crops, like oranges and lemons. This was an early example of using natural ways to protect plants.
Remembering Frank McCoppin
Frank McCoppin married Elizabeth Bird Van Ness in San Francisco in 1862. Her father was James Van Ness, who had also been a mayor of San Francisco.
Today, several places in San Francisco are named after Frank McCoppin. These include:
- McCoppin Square, a small park in the Parkside District.
- McCoppin Street, located in the Mission District.
- Frank McCoppin Elementary School, which is near Golden Gate Park.
These places help us remember his contributions to the city of San Francisco.
