Page 25 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

by the English speaking residents of San Francisco, as noted in the 1842 personal log of Gunner
William H. Meyers of the sloop of war Cyane. (Ref. UU). The herb can no longer be found on
the island due to later plant imports which have displaced the mtnt.

The island became known as "Goat Island" when, in approximately 1837, a herd of goats was
brought to the island. The herd flourished on the island until the late 1840s. The last known
goat inhabiting the island, "Lonesome Billy", was a thin, one homed male. He died just after the
tum of the century at an age of 30 years plus. Because of his cantankerous personality, there is
no record of any mourning for Lonesome Billy. His head was stuffed, mounted, and displayed in
the Goat Island Training Station administration building for several years; but, unfortunately,
was lost sometime around 1931. Though most of the goats were gone by 1850, the name "Goat
Island" remained as the popular name for the island. During the next one hundred years, 1840s
to 1940s, names for the island were used interchangably. However, in 1895, the US Geographic
Board officially changed the name of the island from "Y erba Buena Island" to "Goat Island". It
remained this way until 1931 when an intense campaign led by the Native Daughters of the
Golden West succeeded in convincing the same board to reverse its previous decision and restore
the name "Y erba Buena" to the island. (Ref. Z). It has been documented that instead of tossing
Lonesome Billy's stuffed head into the Bay, Navy Radioman Jack Lowe dressed up in a goat suit
and Rear Admiral W. C. Cole, the Commanding Officer of the Training Station, kicked him off
the end of the pier to mark the Island's name change. (Ref. Z). Since about 1940, the name
"Goat Island" has fallen out of usage , while "Y erba Buena Island" has been accepted by the
local populace, as well as by the U.S. Geographic Board.

Other unofficial names for Yerba Buena Island included: "Sea Bird Island" or just "Bird Island",
stemming from Ayala's naming it "Pelican Island;' (Ref. J); "Wood Island", so named because of
the wood on the island which was cut and supplied to the sailing vessels; "Spear's Island",
named after Nathan Spear, a resident of San Francisco, who claimed ownership of the island
from 183 5 to 1849 and who originally brought the goats to the island (Ref. HH); and "Treasure
Island", named for the various treasures that are rumore<l'to have been buried on the island over
the years. (Ref. E).

The early history ofYerba Buena can be divided into three eras:

• Prehistory and Early Mexican Control, Pre-183 5
• Private Ownership, 1835 - 1867
• Military Control, 1867 - 1898

The modem history ofYerba Buena Island consists of three eras:

• West Coast Naval Training Station (also known as Goat Island) and the West Coast
Naval Receiving Station, 1898 - 1923
• West Coast Naval Receiving Station, 1923 - 1941
• Housing for permanent naval residents of Treasure Island (Officers only since 1966)
and United States (US) Coast Guard Station, 1941 - Present (1995)

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