Meiggs Wharf facts for kids
Meiggs' Wharf was a very long wooden pier in San Francisco. It was also known as Meigs Wharf or Meiggs' Pier. This pier stretched out into the bay for about 1,600 to 2,000 feet. That was a huge distance for a pier back then!
A man named Henry Meiggs built the pier. He wanted to bring ships carrying lumber to San Francisco. He also hoped it would help develop the North Beach area. Even though building the pier caused him financial trouble, it became a very important part of North Beach life.
Building Meiggs' Wharf
The pier was incredibly long for its time. Many people thought it was built in the wrong spot. Strong currents and tides flowed off North Beach. Ships docking there were not protected from the waves.
Ships preferred calmer waters inside San Francisco Bay. They usually sailed to safer docks at the Embarcadero.
Meiggs' Wharf was located between Mason and Powell Streets. It was also a bit north of where Bay Street is today. The pier reached far into the bay, about 1,600 to 2,000 feet. This is about 200 feet longer than today's Fisherman's Wharf.
Henry Meiggs' Story
Building the pier and other projects caused Henry Meiggs to lose a lot of money. He tried to cover his money problems in a dishonest way. He used special papers that were meant for the city's street fund.
Before his actions were found out, he left San Francisco. On October 6, 1854, he sailed away on his ship, the America. His family and his brother, John Meiggs, went with him. John was the newly elected City Controller, a city official who manages money.
Henry Meiggs landed in Chile. He lost some money there at first. But he then became very rich by building railroads in Chile and Peru. With his new wealth, Meiggs paid back the people he had wronged in San Francisco.
Life at the Pier
After Meiggs left in 1854, the pier had no owner. In 1856, a local merchant named Abraham Warner opened a popular place. It was called the Cobweb Palace. This spot was an eatery and a social gathering place.
The Cobweb Palace was filled with interesting items. It became a successful and popular spot for everyone in the city. People from all walks of life gathered there.
The pier also became a main stop for the ferry. This ferry took people across the bay to Marin County.
The End of the Pier
Meiggs' Wharf lasted for many years. However, it was destroyed in a huge fire. This fire happened after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The pier burned down to the water on the second day of the fire.
Over time, the North Beach area grew and became a busy part of San Francisco. Henry Meiggs' dream for the area eventually came true.
