Hello, there!
The other day, my friend Richard Everett — a maritime historian who is an Advisor to The Emperor Norton Trust — posted on social media: "Winds have shifted and a new tack is being explored."
Richard was introducing a new proposal that the Trust has been floating recently.
For the last 9 years, The Emperor Norton Trust has led the effort to see “Emperor Norton Bridge” added as an honorary name for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.
It seems pretty clear that the current generation of California and Bay Area lawmakers and leaders are not interested in making this honorary bridge naming happen any time soon.
A double-factor that always has complicated the bridge-naming effort:
- Because the Bay Bridge is a state structure — one with feet on both sides of the Bay — any honorary naming has to be approved by the full state legislature, requiring significant support from Oakland and elsewhere outside of San Francisco — BUT…
- Emperor Norton is seen as being primarily a San Francisco figure.
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Comes the question, then…
Is there a fitting San Francisco-specific landmark that could bear the Emperor’s name?
What prominent, emotionally powerful landmark that is alive in the imaginations of those who live in — who visit — and who are attuned to San Francisco could make a “Bay Bridge-level” statement, were it named after Emperor Norton?
In considering this question, I’ve kept coming back to THE CLOCK TOWER OF THE SAN FRANCISCO FERRY BUILDING — an historical landmark that truly "presides" over San Francisco, and welcomes all to San Francisco, in a way that none other does.
The Ferry Building — which opened in 1898 — turns 125 next year.
And, a 3-year exterior renovation and painting will have the building and tower looking spiffier than ever.
The 245-foot-tall clock tower has never had a dedicated name.
The 125th anniversary of the Ferry Building would be a wonderful time to name the tower…
THE EMPEROR NORTON TOWER
For more details, go to
then click the "LEARN MORE" button.
Like this idea? Share it around with our easy-to-remember URL EmperorNortonTower.org
Also: You always can find the detailed "Emperor Norton Tower" proposal via the left navigation of our website at EmperorNortonTrust.org — just click the link that reads "Name the SF Ferry Building Clock Tower"
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Thank you so much for your abiding support of this petition — and of the larger Emperor Norton Bridge effort!
We're leaving the petition open.
But, please note that we're suspending active promotion of the bridge effort while we turn our sails to see if we can catch the breeze blowing in the direction of the Ferry Building.
Please join us!
JOHN LUMEA
The Emperor Norton Trust
IMAGE: Detail of photograph © 2020 Ryan Fitzsimons