Mural Info
Artist: Anton Refregier
Location: Mission and Spear, South of Market
Current state: Available
Photo by: SF Mural Arts
Views: 3111
Panel #15. Early California settlers received mail from the Eastern United States primarily by ship. Pacific Mail Steamship Company was founded in 1848 and operated steamers from Panama to the Columbus River. Cornelius Vanderbilt founded a competing line in 1851. By 1859 Pacific Mail had agreed to share its business with Vanderbilt controlling Atlantic shipping, and Pacific Mail controlling the Pacific. The railroads gradually took over more and more delivery through the 1860's, especially after completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. This panel depicts California's first office. (text from a plaque on the wall)
