Opened in 1898 , the building replaced a wooden predecessor constructed on the same site in 1875 . The well built reinforced building with its arched arcades survived both the 1906 and the 1989 earthquakes with little damage . It served as the destination for commuters to San Francisco from the East Bay , who rode the ferry fleets of the Southern Pacific and the Key System . In the afternoon , they caught ferries returning across the bay . A loop track in front of the building enabled convenient transfers to streetcars . A large pedestrian bridge spanned the Embarcadero in front of the Ferry building to facilitate safe crossing of the busy plaza and transit hub . In the 1940s , the bridge was dismantled to supply scrap metal for the Second World War
1989 earthquakes
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
San Francisco Ferry Building