Front cover to the first booklet of postcards

Back cover to the first booklet of postcards

TREASURE ISLAND

Named after the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, Treasure Island was created to serve as the site of the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-40. The fair was a celebration of the city’s simultaneous completion of the Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was attended by 17 million. There were 13 states and 37 nations participating in the fair, including Italy and Japan. Less than 14 months after the close of the festivities, the United States was at war with both nations.The event is commemorated in the Treasure Island Museum, located in the Administration Building, one of three buildings from the exposition to survive. The island was partially constructed with stone removed from the Bay Bridge tunnel on adjacent Yerba Buena Island. It was scheduled to become San Francisco’s airport, but was too small for air traffic and to close to the bridges. Only Pan American Airways China Clipper seaplanes to Asia and the Pacific flew from the island. When it was completed in 1937, 400 acre Treasure Island was the largest man-made island in the world.

From SAN FRANCISCO SECRETS by John Snyder © Chronicle Books 1999

"Pacifica," towering 85 feet above the glowing and colorful Fountain of Western Waters, and staring with sightless eyes into the distant horizon, is the theme statue of the Fair. The 100 foot metal Oriental Prayer curtain behind the statue, give the eyes a new sensation, with its ever changing series of exquisitely toned lights. 

Court of the Moon

Rainbow Girl atop the Fountain of Life in the Court of the Flowers

Elephant Towers, Portals of the Pacific

As the boundaries of human intercourse are widened by giant strides of trade and travel, it is of vital import that the bonds of human understanding be maintained, enlarged and strengthened rapidly. Unity of the Pacific nations is America's concern and responsibility; their onward progress deserves now a recognition that will be a stimulus as well.Washington is remote from the Pacific. San Francisco stands at the doorway to the sea that roars upon the shores of all these nations, and so to the Golden Gate International Exposition I gladly entrust a solemn duty. May this, America's World's Fair on the Pacific in 1939, truly serve all nations in symbolizing their destinies, one with every other, through the ages to come.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, via radio, during the opening ceremonies.

Statue of Creation, Court of the Seven Seas, and the Tower of the Sun

Towers of the East and the Temple Compound as seen from across the Lakes of the Nations

Tower of the Sun, and the South Tower of the Court of the Moon 

The theme of the exposition was "Pageant of the Pacific", as it showcased the goods of nations bordering the Pacific Ocean. The theme was physically symbolized by "The Tower of the Sun" and a giant 80 ft statue of Pacifica, goddess of the Pacific Ocean.

Court of the Seven Seas

Rainbow Girl atop the Fountain of Life in the Court of the Flowers

Tower of the Sun and the Court of the Moon

The Peacemakers (Mural) in the Court of Pacifica, and the Fountain of Western Waters

Arch of Triumph

Court of reflections and the Arch of Triumph

Federal Build and the Lakes of the Nations

Chinese Village

Front cover to the second booklet of postcards

Back cover to the second booklet of postcards

Throughout the run of the Fair, multi-colored searchlights shot up for one mile in the nighttime sky, and were visible for 100 miles around. The official program described the lighting effects as “chromotherapy.” The 80-foot statue of Pacifica personified the theme of the Fair, emphasizing unity between Pacific nations. But the dominating feature of the Island was the 400-foot Tower of the Sun, which competed in stature with the towers of the Bay Bridge nearby.

Court of the Seven Seas

Court of Reflections and the Tower of the Sun

Elephant Towers and the Tower of the Sun reflected in the waters of San Francisco Bay

South Tower, Court of the Moon

Court of the Moon and Tower of the Sun

Court of Flowers and the Rainbow Girl atop the Fountain of Life

Tower of the Sun with Phantom Arches in the Court of the Moon

Court of the Seven Seas and the Tower of the Sun

Court of Reflections and the Arch of Triumph

Portal of Pacific and the Tower of the Sun

In 1939, with the completion of the two bridge's, San Francisco Downtown Association created the 49-Mile Scenic Drive to promote the exposition and the city. The drive started at San Francisco City Hall and ended on Treasure Island after winding around the picturesque "City by the Bay".