The Embaradero
Rincon Annex
98 Howard Street
Panel #10Panel #10. “Raising the Bear Flag The Bear Flag revolt established the Republic of California, one month before the United States won the territory in the Mexican War. John Charles Fremont was a prime force in instigating the revolt and William B. Ide became president of the short- lived republic. The original Bear Flag, designed by William C. Todd, flew over Sonoma for a brief time. The piece of white cloth seen lying on the ground was originally the Mexican flag. Because some people thought this was disrespectful Refregier painted it out. Its colors are still visible beneath the white overpaint.”
According to Rob Spoor, the Mexican ambassador protested the Mexican flag lying on the ground. The flag was “whitewashed” by the painter, although close examination reveals the original flag’s red and green stripes peeking through the attempted cover-up.
Panel #11Panel #11. “Finding Gold at Sutter’s Mill. Sutter’s mill was a sawmill on the property of John Augustus Sutter. Located on a fork of the American River, the enterprise was financed by Sutter and constructed under the supervision of his partner in the venture, James Marshall. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s mill on January 24, 1848 and began the California Gold Rush. The nugget Marshall found is known as the Wimmer Nugget named after Marshall’s assistant, Peter L.Wimmer”
Panel #22Panel #22 ” Reconstruction after the fire Immediately after the quake, the national guard and army troops under the command of General Frederick Funston helped San Francisco police and firemen maintain order in the city. In addition, the soldiers prevented looting, helped with temporary housing, food distribution, communications and sanitation. Soup kitchens and tent cities in the local parks were the first signs of reconstruction. Clearing the rubble and rebuilding the city took years.”
All these descriptions can be found on plaques near the murals.