San Francisco Saints celebrate forgotten history

One of the most forgotten events in California history proved to be one that in many ways changed California forever — the arrival of ship Brooklyn in 1846.The ship's arrival does not belong to the Mission Era or to the Gold Rush. The Brooklyn sailed into Yerba Buena Cove, now San Francisco, July 31, 1846, just a few weeks after California overthrew rule by Mexico.For many, the Brooklyn's arrival is merely a footnote in the historical record. But the arrival of 250 Mormon pioneers on the Brooklyn transformed the tiny village of Yerba Buena into a town with a newspaper, school, businesses and many homes. The Mormon leader, Sam Brannan, proved to be so pivotal in spreading the news about the discovery of gold, that some writers of history have dubbed him, "The First Forty-Niner."His announcement of gold, by voice and print, sent thousands to the "Gold Country" and changed California forever.The Brooklyn and Samuel Brannan have become forgotten history to many, including Latter-day Saints. Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are very familiar with the stories of the Mormon pioneers who walked from Illinois to Utah. The majority of Latter-day Saints currently living in San Francisco, however, are surprised to hear that a ship full of Mormons landed in San Francisco one year before the other pioneers first arrived by foot and wagon in Utah."I grew up in Utah and had never heard of the ship Brooklyn or of its voyage until I moved to New York City at age 23. The LDS congregations in New York had just celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Brooklyn and its sailing from New York City around Cape Horn to San Francisco. People in the congregation were still talking about it and I was totally surprised. Now living here in San Francisco, most of the Latter-day Saints I know here have not heard about the ship Brooklyn," said Nettie Atkisson. "It was also interesting arriving here a few years ago as a newcomer and then learning I have some family history in the area. It definitely made me feel more connected to the area."For three weeks this summer, LDS Church members living in the Bay Area will be spending time learning about the experiences and contributions of early church members who lived in San Francisco in the 1800s. "We are thrilled to be part of the history of the great city of San Francisco. We are proud to live and share in the City and the extended Bay Area, " said Roger Carter, president of the San Francisco Stake. "From the original congregation of the church in 1846 and the establishment of the first stake in 1927, at present there are over 170 congregations and in excess of 72,000 members of the church in the surrounding Bay Area. The church has grown and prospered in California. Today there are almost 1400 congregations in California supporting 750,000 members," he said."What a miraculous history. We love being part of the legacy and the future of the city and the great state of California," Carter added.In mid-July, church members removed trash and weeds from three streets in San Francisco: Brooklyn Place, Joice Street and Pratt Place — all named after Mormons or the ship that brought them here. Many residents of the area expressed their appreciation to the volunteers for their efforts. "I have lived here for 40 years," said one exuberant man, "and never knew there was concrete here on this street. I always thought it was just dirt." He was happy to see all of the weeds and trash removed.A man who owns a building on Pratt Place was thrilled with the results. He told volunteers he had worried for some time about how to clean up the street and therefore was pleasantly surprised to walk out and see a large group doing the job for him.Saturday, docents led tours through the China Town area to explain early Latter-day Saint history in San Francisco, and an actor portraying Sam Brannan was to perform at Hyde Street Pier, where visitors could learn more about the Brooklyn as they toured other similar tall ships.