Maritime Contra Costa County

San Francisco,s ,opposite shore, is showcased for its maritime role in securing the city,s financial preeminence. Located minutes from San Francisco by ferry or automobile, Contra Costa County provided deepwater ports for shipping agricultural, mineral, and manufactured goods around the world. Pacific commodity traders made use of these ports to ship products, ensuring California,s unique global economic role. Immense wealth was created from goods shipped from maritime Contra Costa County, securing a vibrant economy from the Gaslight Era to the days of Haight-Ashbury.

In these pages, Carol A. Jensen, a member of East Contra Costa Historical Society, presents the county's vibrant maritime history. She presents images drawn from the Library of Congress, California State Library, San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, Contra Costa County archives, and important local historical society collections. Herein we experience in vintage photographs this region's impact on significant California events. Wines to challenge French viticultural supremacy were shipped, grains destined to make Guinness beer great set sail, and soldiers embarked for the World War II Pacific theater from these piers. Maritime Contra Costa County provides a fresh perspective on the intertwined histories of San Francisco and its "other coast."