hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

RAILROAD 1ERMINL 685
under the large immigration," the rapid unfolding of
San Joaquin valley as a wheat region, and the hopes
buoyed upon the progress of the transcontinental railway,
so much so that the earthquake of 1868, the
most serious ever felt at San Francisco, left only a
momentary impression. 14
The expectations based on the railway proved illusive,
however. The city had neglected to manifest
any substantial interest in such enterprises because of
her isolated peninsular position, 1 * leaving the Central
Pacific, completed in May 1869, to make its terminus
at Sacramento, with the evident prospect of seeking a
bay port, either at Oakland, through the Western
Pacific, or at Vallejo, through the California Pacific.
The recognition of these facts led to a panic in San
Francisco real estate, which had been rising since
1858 to inflated prices. 1 * Vallejo, on the other hand,
rose exultantly, boasting of its superior natural har-
requesting in aid a grant of the water front for 50 years. The legislature
assented, despite the popular outcry, but Gov. Downey fortunately vetoed
the bill. CaL Jour. Sen. and Ass., 1859-60; 8. F. BulkJiead Bill, etc., a series
of pro and contra arguments, petitions, and reviews; Pawn's Bulkhead, 1-
93; S. F. MisceL, ii. 6-67, 1-60; 8. F. Bull, Feb. 21, Mar. 5-11, 1859; Apr.
18, I860. One.result was several wharf improvements, particularly by the
Pacific Mail S. S. co. In 1867 a stone wall for a part of the water front was
contracted for, and of late years the sea-walls have been constructed near
the mission cove and at North Beach. S. F. Munictp. Rept, 1866-7, 506 et
aeq.; 8. F. Seawall, l-3b; BMnwn's Kept, 7; CaL Jour. Sen., 1867-8, app. 14,
18; 1871-2, app. 12, etc.; Crane's Rept, 1-16. The harbor has been improved
by the removal of Blossom rock, in 1870, the Rincon rock, etc. (/. 8. G.w. Dye.,
51st cong., 2d sess.; U. S. Sen. Misc. Doc., 146; Id., 41, 43d cong., 1st seas.;
Id., Rtpt MiefEnj., 1868, 383, etc.; AUa CaL, Apr. 24, 1870; Overlaml, xv.,
401-7; S. F. Chron., Oct. 11, 1885.
13 The largest since flush times, 1868 showing a gain of 35,000, of which
S. F. had its share.
14 A dozen weak buildings were rendered untenable, 5 lives were lost by
falling bricks, and some injuries were received through exaggerated fears.
The shock occurred Oct. 21. See 8. F. BulL, Call, etc.; Great EartJtqnalr,
1-16, with synopsis of damages. The earliest recorded quake here was a
severe shock in 1839, as described by C. Brown, in S. F. Call, Dec. 21, 1877.
Shocks in 1851, 1854, and 1856. 8. F. Herald, May 16. Dec. 27-8, 1851;
Oct. 22, 1854; Jan. 3, Feb. 16, 1856: BulL, Feb. 15, Oct. 11, 1856; Golden
Era, Jan. 6, Sept. 1, 1855, May 11, 1856. Slight tremors have been frequent.
A full list of all notable quakes is given in Hayes' NaL Phenom., iii.
(£-83; Id., Erin. Notes, 678-723.
14 Yet in 1864 it was decided to subscribe for $1,000,000 R. R. stock; this
was compromised for a gift of 1450,000 to the Central and $250,000 to the
Western Pacific, without any stock.
10 Especially in the suburbs, much of vhijh has not yet recovered. The
panic itself survived still in 1872.