William Anthony Richardson

William Anthony Richardson (August 27, 1795 – April 20, 1856) was an important businessman in early California. He played a big role in building the place called Yerba Buena, which later became the city of San Francisco.

Richardson was the first person to get a special piece of land in the city. This land was given to him by the leader of the town, called the alcalde, José Joaquín Estudillo. Later, he also got an even bigger piece of land called Rancho Saucelito. This large area was across the San Francisco Bay and is now part of Marin County.

On this land, Richardson started the city of Sausalito. His work helped shape the area and make it grow into the places we know today.

Life

Richardson arrived in San Francisco Bay in 1822 on a British ship. He met and danced with a local woman named Maria Antonia Martinez and decided to stay. He became a citizen of Mexico, joined the Roman Catholicism faith, and married Maria Antonia, who was the daughter of a local leader.

Richardson asked for land across the bay and was given a large area called Rancho Saucelito. He built a place where ships could get fresh water and helped create the settlement of Yerba Buena, which later became San Francisco. He also helped guide ships into the bay as Port Captain.

Legacy

Richardson Bay, near Sausalito, and Richardson Avenue in San Francisco's Marina District are named after William Richardson. There is also a Richardson Street in Martinez, California, which is one of five streets named for the sons-in-law of Don Ygnacio Martinez.

In 1937, a bronze tablet was placed to honor Richardson as the first settler in Yerba Buena in 1835. The tablet can be found at Richardson Avenue near the Presidio of San Francisco. It was unveiled by James T. Davis, who was Richardson's great, great grandson.