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| Landmark #623 | San Francisco County | Visited: February 23, 2013 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | Union Square is still a happening venue for shopping and events in the heart of San Francisco! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This was the center of San Francisco in pioneer days, deeded for public use January 3, 1850 during the administration of John White Geary, first mayor and postmaster, and later Governor of Kansas and Pennsylvania. The name originated in 1860 when public meetings were held here in support of the Union.
OTHER TIDBITS: For many years, during the early 1850s, this square was used for dumping, squatting, and baseball! In fact, it is believed that the term sand-lot baseball originated from this sandy baseball field! During the Civil War, the reverend Thomas Starr King held pro-Union rallies here, and after the assassination of President Lincoln, over 14,000 people gathered here to hear a memorial address by Horatio Stebbins! It wasn’t until the late 1870s that this square became a park, bringing new Victorian style landscaping, particularly grass, to California’s public spaces! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: NE corner of Geary and Powell San Francisco, CA 94108 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~387mi (623km) — 6.5hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
