San Francisco Historical Society Endorses "Emperor Norton Tunnel" Naming Proposal
Leading Research and Education Org That Resides in the Block Where Emperor Norton Lived Extends Its Role Preserving the Emperor’s Legacy
THE EMPEROR NORTON TRUST is delighted to announce that the San Francisco Historical Society has issued a statement in support of the Trust's proposal that the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge tunnel through Yerba Buena Island, S.F., be named the
EMPEROR NORTON TUNNEL
Here is the statement (pdf):
The founder of the San Francisco Historical Society, the late Charles Fracchia, was an original Advisor to The Emperor Norton Trust and one of the Trust’s earliest supporters following our founding in 2013.
The bond between the Society and the Trust has only been strengthened in the years since the Society in 2019 moved to its current home and Museum at 608 Commercial Street — just three doors down from the site where Emperor Norton lived from 1864–65 until his death in 1880.
In recent years, the Society has positioned itself as a guardian of the history of the 600 block of Commercial. In addition to collaborating with the Society in producing the dedication ceremony for the City of San Francisco’s commemorative naming of this intimate block as Emperor Norton Place, the Trust has partnered with the Society in larger placemaking efforts to show how the block where the Emperor lived connects to the City’s deepest history.
In their statement for the San Francisco Historical Society, Executive Director Todd Mayberry and Deputy Director Lana Costantini note:
In 1872, Emperor Norton famously issued three proclamations calling for a bridge to be built connecting San Francisco with the East Bay, an idea that was dismissed by most people of his day as impossible and absurd. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the completion of the Bay Bridge.
We agree with The Emperor Norton Trust’s belief that 2026 is the appropriate year in which to name the Yerba Buena Island tunnel after Emperor Norton. San Francisco deserves a prominently named place to honor this beloved citizen and visionary community figure.
The Emperor Norton Trust is honored by the support of the San Francisco Historical Society for our “Emperor Norton Tunnel” naming proposal — and for the Trust’s larger work and mission.
This endorsement follows endorsements earlier this month from the Imperial Council of San Francisco; the Chinese Historical Society of America; and California Lodge No. 1 of Free and Accepted Masons.
The Trust looks forward to working with the San Francisco Historical Society to make the Emperor Norton Tunnel a reality — and is grateful for opportunity to continue partnering with the Society to forge a deeper public understanding of how the Emperor and his story connects to the history and identity of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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