Page 107 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

Figure 35. Sadly in 1941, "Pacifica" was one of the first of the Exposition structures to be
removed by the Navy during the conversion of Treasure Island into a naval base.

"A Pageant of the Pacific" was the theme of the Exposition. The architecture used was of Mayan
and Oriental influences. Countries, cultures, and plants were chosen to represent life as it is in
the Pacific. Additionally, some of the individual displays of the fair were designed to represent a
specific nation, such as the Japan building, but were not necessarily related architecturally to the
rest of the Exposition. As a result, the overall appearance of the Exposition was a very eclectic
and exotic display of differing ethnic styles.

Due to the size of the Exposition, "Elephant Trains" ran regular routes around the island
transporting visitors. These "Elephant Trains" were small tractor pullers towing up to five cars.
They were decorated to resemble elephants pulling circus cars. After the Exposition, their
decorations were removed and they were sent to Mare Island Naval Shipyard. There, during
WW II, they provided transportation around the shipyard for military and civilian personnel.

The entry to the Exposition faced the direction of the prevailing winds, which was mostly to the
west. Portals to the ticket booths were built as wind breaks, protecting the "Court of Heaven"
just inside the main entrance. The engineer while designing the entrance portals used a fan,
models of the portals, and chicken feathers for preliminary testing. The "Court of Heaven" and
the "Temple Court" were used as gathering places for the many concerts and speeches presented
at the Exposition. Many different nations provided the Exposition with displays. These
countries included: China, France, Netherlands, East Indies, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama,
Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Philippines, Australia, French
Indochina, Johore (a South Pacific Island), New Zealand, Japan, Italy (using several varieties of
Italian marble) and Norway. Unfortunately, the buildings reserved for the displays from France
and Italy basically stood vacant during the 1940 Exposition because at the time the two countries
were extensively involved in WW II.

The Exposition buildings representing Japan were quite unique. The Japanese brought their own
workers, materials, and supplies from Japan instead using local supplies and labor from San
Francisco as expected. Their buildings were erected using traditional Japanese building
techniques consisting of wood, wooden bolts and nails, and rope lashings. No metal fasteners
were used in the construction of the buildings. Typically, the roof was installed first, then the
interior was completed, then the outside walls put in place for each building they constructed.
See Figure 36.

September 1, 1995 Historical Study ofYerba Buena Island, 2-3
Treasure Island, and their Buildings