Jasper O'farrell's original survey including future water lots.

Village of San Francisco on Yerba Buena Cove

Map of cove and lots to Mongomery Beach.

Lots to the East of the shoreline were planned to Front st.  After those water lots were filled in San Francisco continued out into the bay to the embarcadero.

The "Long Pier" running West to East is now Commercial Street.

Artist's rendering of Yerba Buena Cove and "The Plaza" on the day that the USS Portsmouth landed Capt. John B. Montgomery and claimed the village of Yerba Buena for the United States.

This famous lithograph by Edward Bosqui was originally drawn by Captain W.F. Swasey, a continuous resident since 1845. It notes named streets and 35 structures and vessels at the time along with their owners.

Painted in 1909 by Edwin H. Mitchell

This 72"x41" oil painting by George Henry Burgess in 1879 was on display at the Montgomery Gallery at 406 Jackson St.

A view from the top of the Jenny Lind Theater in Portsmouth Square.

A view from California Street in 1849

Piers began to be built out up to a quarter mile into the cove to accommodate merchant as well as passenger ships. 

Yerba Buena Cove

By 1852 the cove had almost been completely filled in. You can still see a little water left in this picture.

A View down Sacramento Street

Broadway & Front Streets.

A picture of the Eastern base of Telegraph Hill at what is now about 400 Embarcadero

The Southern end of the cove 

Yerba Buena Cove near Rincon Point.

Rincon Hill, on the South side of the cove - where the Bay Bridge meets land now, shows how the piers began to form a grid. These would become San Francisco's cross streets running North-South.

Ships started to be abandoned as sailors deserted for the gold fields of the Sierra Nevada