San Francisco's iconic skyline stands proudly upon a hidden shoreline, where remnants of the Gold Rush still lie buried to this day. This intersection of the past and present is exactly where our placemaking initiatives come to life, transforming public spaces into cultural touchpoints.

We’re excited to continue this work with a series of wall graphics that offer a window into the entrepreneurial spirit that defined early San Francisco.

Designed by DSFP’s Placemaking & Urban Design Manager Franco Ferraro, the panels feature a map of Gold Rush-era ships buried beneath Downtown, the stories of early San Franciscans, and a first-of-its-kind illustration depicting the Niantic in its prime as a multi-use venue. The passenger ship once carried 250 fortune seekers from Panama before being beached in San Francisco and repurposed as a bustling storehouse, hotel, and saloon.

This work was meticulously reconstructed from historical manifests and period accounts, with guidance from Richard Everett and Mark Sheuer, and in close collaboration with The San Francisco Historical Society.

Sprawling 150 feet across the PG&E Building, the “Beyond the Sea" mural painted by Twin Walls Mural serves as a powerful cultural anchor, honoring the the life and legacy of Captain William Alexander Leidesdorff. 

Widely considered to be America's first Black millionaires, Leidesdorff was an ambitious entrepreneur who arrived to Yerba Buena in 1841. In a mere seven years, he left an indelible mark on early San Francisco, establishing the city's first hotel, shipping warehouse, and even California's first horse racetrack. He also served on the first City Council and School Board, and made history as the country's first Black diplomat.