EUREKA
Also known as: Ukiah; Ferryboat EUREKA
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Why it's listed
Eureka is a wooden side-wheel ferryboat moored at the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco, part of the San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park. Launched in 1890 at Tiburon as the Ukiah, she was built by John Dickie for the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad and first carried railroad cars across the bay. In 1922 her owners, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, lengthened and widened her and renamed her Eureka. She could then carry 2,300 passengers and 120 automobiles, and was the biggest and fastest double-ended passenger ferry in the world. Her single-cylinder vertical beam engine, a walking beam type built by Fulton Iron Works, drives two 27-foot paddle wheels. She ran until 1957, when a sheared crank pin ended her service, and the State of California acquired her in 1958. The nomination considers her the finest surviving bay ferry and the last of the walking beam ferries used for commuters. Her interior retains original benches, carved panelling and turned stanchions.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls Eureka the finest surviving example of the ferryboats that once served San Francisco Bay and the last of the walking beam ferries used for commuter service. After the 1922 conversion she was the biggest and fastest double-ended passenger ferry in the world. The form notes her historical and structural integrity and her value to the state's maritime story.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000229, listed April 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park, 2905 Hyde St., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | April 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000229 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Built by John Dickie in Tiburon, 1890, for the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company; engine by Fulton Iron Works, San Francisco |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 4, 1985 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, with engines and boilers intact and in fair condition, and under constant maintenance as a museum ship in a state historic park; preservation work in progress. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.80957, -122.42167 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000229.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2278475
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.