Jessie Street Substation
Also known as: Pacific Gas & Electric Co.Stevenson St. Substation,Central S
Why it's listed
Tucked into a blind alley near downtown San Francisco, this reinforced concrete substation is faced in brick, with a south facade of cream-colored terra cotta ornament. A tall central arch carries the inscription "Central Station" and the date MCMV. A small side entrance is topped by a sculpted group of four cherubs with garlands. The plant began in 1881, was enlarged in 1883 and 1892, and was redesigned by Willis Polk in 1905. Fire in February 1906 and then the earthquake and fire that April destroyed the work in progress, and Polk drew new plans, followed by an eastern annex planned in 1909. It generated and switched electricity for Pacific Gas and Electric and its predecessor until the late 1960s. The nomination values the facade's handling of classical elements and sees the building as an early step in the company's effort to give its utility buildings civic dignity. It was scheduled for demolition for the Yerba Buena Center.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a fine example of early twentieth century classical architecture in the Bay Area and one of the most interesting buildings of its type in California. It was an early effort by its owners to turn utilitarian structures into civic ornaments, an offshoot of the City Beautiful Movement. Designer Willis Polk was a leading California architect, and critics of the period praised his work for the company.
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 74000555, listed September 6, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 222-226 Jessie St., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | September 6, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000555 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (specific dates 1905, 1906, 1909) |
| Architect / builder | Willis Polk (of Wright and Polk, later D.H. Burnham and Co.) |
| Architectural style | Early twentieth century classical architecture |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Electrical equipment removed in the late 1960s and the building has been empty since; condition listed as good; scheduled for demolition for Yerba Buena Center at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 37.78598, -122.40372 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 74000555.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.