How the Ferry Building survived the freeway years
The terminal opened in 1898. For decades, an elevated highway separated it from downtown San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Ferry Building opened on July 13, 1898, at the foot of Market Street. Its clock tower marked the arrival point for travelers crossing the bay.
The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge changed those travel patterns. Ferry traffic fell as more commuters drove into the city.
In 1955, much of the building’s interior was converted into offices. The elevated Embarcadero Freeway stood in front of the terminal, separating it from downtown.
Damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake led to the freeway’s demolition. The city replaced the double-deck road with a street-level boulevard.
A four-year restoration returned the Ferry Building’s central hall to public use. It reopened as a marketplace in 2003.
Source: Ferry Building history.