Landing Place of Captain J. B. Montgomery

Montgomery came ashore at about eight in the morning with some seventy sailors and marines, stepped out at the foot of Clay Street and marched up it behind a fife and drum playing Yankee Doodle. Nobody challenged them. There was not a single Mexican official left in the town from whom to demand its surrender, and the Portsmouth had spent much of June at Sausalito, sending provisions to Frémont's camp. The Native Sons set this tablet in the cornerstone of A. P. Giannini's Bank of Italy building.

What the plaque says

On July 9, 1846, in the early morning, in "the days when the water came up to Montgomery Street," Commander John B. Montgomery-for whom Montgomery Street was named-landed near this spot from the U.S. sloop-of-war "Portsmouth," to raise the Stars and Stripes on the plaza, now Portsmouth Square, one block to the west. Tablet placed by the Native Sons of the Golden West. 1915.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Site of Brick Building of the Firm of Mellus and Howard — steps away
• Western Headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell — steps away
• Hudson's Bay Company Headquarters — steps away
• Site of First U.S. Branch Mint — steps away