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Top 10 Facts about the Ferry Building

The Ferry Building in San Francisco, California opened its doors in 1898. It was the main stop for anyone arriving by train.

This was very significant from the Gold Rush until the 1930s. During this time, people arrived by ferryboat as it was the only means for all types of travellers.

Having been around for more than a century, the Ferry Building has become one of the most prominent landmarks in San Francisco.

Back in the 19^th century when the building was being constructed, it was the biggest project in the city. The building has survived several disasters.

After the construction of the Bay Bridge in 1930 and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building was used less than before and it was abandoned.

About 50 years later, the dilapidated building was turned into a market where farmers sell their produce every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

In today’s article, you will get to discover more interesting facts about the Ferry Building in San Francisco, California.

1. Ferry Building in San Francisco was the largest project in the city

The San Francisco Ferry Building was first opened in 1898. This was the largest project ever embarked on in the city.

With its elegant arches and the 245-foot clock tower, the architectural design of this building was inspired by Classical European architecture.

It was the primary transportation hub in the city and more than 50,000 commuters would go through it every day.

The Ferry building was the busiest transit station in the world.

However, after the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge in the 1930s, the building became obsolete. Some vehicles transported people.

In 1955, the building was transformed into a market. Its most recent renovation was in 2002.   

2. The original Ferry Building survived two earthquakes

Photo Sourced from Wikimedia

Before the New Ferry Building was opened in 1898, there was an old wooden building on the same site. The Old building had been constructed in 1875.

The new building was reinforced with arched arcades, features that protected the building during two earthquakes in 1906 and 1989.

Other buildings in the city had been destroyed by the earthquake.

After the first earthquake, there was a fire in the Ferry Building that took 3 days to put out.  Despite the huge fire, the Ferry Building had little damage with the clock tower remaining intact.

There was another fire in the late 80s as a result of an earthquake but the building suffered little damage.  

3. The original building was not a market

After the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge were constructed, the mode of transportation was changed.

More people used buses and other automobiles and fewer people used the ferry. This left the Ferry Building is abandoned by the 1950s.

It was abandoned for a couple of years before the city council made efforts to restore the landmark.

The building’s interior was renovated and they were turned into office spaces. However, after the construction of the Embarcadero Freeway, the beautiful views of the waterfront were blocked.

The Freeway was destroyed by the 1989 earthquake.

Later, the ground floor of the Ferry Building which originally served as the baggage handling area, now is a popular public food marketplace.

4. The Ferry Building was partitioned into office spaces

Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash

Even though the Ferry Building and its clock tower continued to be part of the San Francisco skyline, the condition of its interior declined with time.

The building was renovated and a mezzanine floor was installed where they created room for office spaces.

This building is located at the end of one of the city’s main streets called Market Street.

It is a major avenue in the city running to the Castro District in Eureka Valley near Twin Peaks. From here, one can get a clear view of the building’s clock tower from this elevated position.

The design of the clock tower was based on that of the Giralda in Seville, of Seville Cathedral in southern Spain.

5. The Ferry Building re-opened after 4 years of renovations

In March 2003, the landmark San Francisco Ferry Building reopened after an extensive 4-year restoration.

Today, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a world-class public food market. Other than fresh produce, there are artists at the market that showcase their art every couple of months.

6. A weekly farmers market is held at the Ferry Building

The Ferry Building serves as the headquarters for the Centre for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA).

This is a non-profit that was founded by Chez Panisse alum Sibella Kraus. It manages the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets.

There are three weekly markets where more than 60 farmers and 30 artisans sell their products. You will find more than 1,500 varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Each of the farmers at this market has a story feature about them displayed on their stands.

If you go on Saturdays, you will find chefs hosting cooking demos. There are also classes offered by CUESA on sustainable agriculture.

7. Some of the top chefs in San Francisco are found in Ferry Building

Photo by Caroline Culler – Wikimedia

If you love chef spotting and you are in San Francisco, then head to the Ferry Building.

Here, you will get to meet some of San Francisco’s top chefs. About 73 aspiring chefs participate in CUESA’s chef program.

Head there on Thursdays and sample the best street food. Then on Saturdays, experience the cuisine of several local restaurants that showcase items from their menus.

8. There are several restaurants at the Ferry Building

The Ferry Building Marketplace not only has fresh produce but also delicious meals.

You can get this treat by sampling coffee and pastries to charcuterie and farmstead cheeses. It is a great place to find biting for a fine picnic or hotel room feast.

There are also several restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a delicious meal.

Some of the finest meats are showcased in classic Americana style at American Eatery at Prather Ranch.

Enjoy some breakfast in a country-inspired communal table setting. Seafood is also plenty and even more; the views of San Francisco Bay is magical.

9. The Ferry Building is surrounded by several other attractions

There are other beautiful historical attractions around and near the Ferry Building Marketplace.

You can stroll up to the Embarcadero at Pier 15 where you will find the Exploratorium. It is a unique science museum in San Francisco.

There is also an aquarium at Pier 39 where you will see sea lions. Further down to the departure point for ferries is the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Other attractions near the Ferry Building are Fisherman’s Wharf, Madame Tussaud’s, and Rincon Park.

10. The ferry building is designed in a Beaux-Arts style

The Ferry Building was designed by Page Brown, an architect from New York, in 1892.

Brown was influenced by studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He designed the clock tower after the 12^th century Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain.

The design of the Ferry Building was inspired by the need to satisfy the industrial society in high style that is associated with traditional buildings.

They used the best quality material such as marble and mosaics for the state seal.