Misfits, Merchants & Mayhem: Tales from San Francisco's Historic Waterfront, 1849-1934

Misfits, Merchants, and Mayhemillustrates the rich history of the San Francisco waterfront by revealing the stories of the movers and shakers who helped create it. San Francisco’s waterfront was shaped over its more than 170 years of history by an extraordinary cast of characters from all walks of life, an eclectic ensemble of writers, scientists, artists, reckless financiers, fishermen, industrialists, and free-spirited mavericks with a penchant for mischievous behavior.

This book explores more than a century of waterfront history, ranging from the gold rush to the Jazz Age, and celebrates the many legendary (and not so legendary) San Franciscans whose talents, acumen, and drive helped create the vibrant West Coast city. These men and women brought their forces of non-conformity, invention, wit, and determination to help shape and build our most beloved institutions, contribute new scientific achievements, introduce cultural and political ideas, and create industries where there were none.