history of San Francisco Custom(s) House

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I would like to know the history of the San Francisco Custom House. I am particularly interested in Custom House role in the city's history in the 1840's and 1850's. Also need to know the duties and responsibilities of the Inspector of Revenue at the Custom House during the same time period.

-- Thomas E. Holloway (tandjholloway@inter-linc.net), December 09, 2000

Answers

There are three mentions in the book "Yerba Buena-From the Beginning to the Gold Rush 1769 to 1849" by Peter Browning, but nothing too concrete about your questions. You may want to try this.

On June 22, 1851 a fire destroyed the old adobe near Portsmouth Plaza which had served as the Customs House for both Mexicans and Americans.

-- Wolfgang Schubert (chouby@aol.com), December 11, 2000.


Well what I know about the old Custom House is that it was on the Corner of California and Montgomery Streets and that it was built by William Health Davis in 1849 and that it was a 4 story brick house. A guy named James Collier worked there as collector of the Port in 1849. I know a lot about James Collier but I don't know if you are interested.

-- Harry Murphy (harrymurphy*@bigmailbox.net), June 22, 2002.

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