
Treasure Island as it is today is a stage for a play of surreal contrasts. Dreams of power and glory mix with spectacular views of San Francisco and the swirling energy of wind and water. The earth underfoot, however, is tenuous. It is basically bay mud impregnated with a wide variety of toxins and pollutants. It is very close to sea level and I wonder the fill will react to a strong shaking.

The Ferry Building, above center, now stands backed by the financial powers of the day. In one 1906 photo from this same location on Treasure Island, the Ferry Building is completely surrounded by a wall of smoke and flame. It was saved as a vital transportation portal by Navy and municipal fireboats.

Above is one of Treasure Island's key views of Telegraph Hill - directly aligned with Russian Hill behind it. 180 degrees opposite this view, (behind me) are a series of abandoned, vandalized art deco "star barracks" from Navy times. In 1996, the Treasure Island Naval Base was decommissioned and opened to the public under certain stipulations. Is is now in a strange transitional situation with lot's of questions hanging in the air.
The Yacht Club below, is one of the rare places on the island that looks and feels "normal". In the distance one can see the ongoing work on the eastern span of the Bay Bridge and a touch of the naturally green and vibrant Yerba Buena Island on the right. The iconic Pan Am "flying boats" used to use this cove for docking - kicking off an era of luxurious air travel, connecting distant locations in exciting new ways.

Below- A closer look at the work on the new Bay Bridge alongside the present bridge built in 1935 - from the SE corner of Treasure Island.

Below is the Hall of Air Transportation built in for the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1935 and "dedicated to Men with Wings". When World War II pressed the building into military service the building was rededicated as a Naval Reserve Readiness Center. Now the building is occupied by Island Creative, a company providing high end staging and lighting services for film, television, and live performance.

Below - Brochures and posters featuring Treasure Island history found in Building One.

The strange thing is, three quarters of the 535 acre Treasure Island now looks like this - vacant, desolate, and in shambles.

Below is Sage Hall, one of the four massive Navy "star barracks" which now sit vandalized on the edge of the Bay, looking out to spectacular views of the City.
Below - Another vacant Navy building on desolation row.

Below - I'm surprised to see this trailer just around the corner from Desolation Row.

Below - These abandoned homes on northern side look out over Angel Island and the entire Northbay. They are slated to be demolished for the new "magic city" coming soon.

E4 hit an prime spot on the old Bowling Alley.

Below- Three Dogs to Travel. I'm not sure why this trinity is sitting here, ready to roll, in front of 888 Avenue H.

It all comes back to the island's relationship with San Francisco and it's great connecting Bay.
San Francisco from the western shore of Treasure Island.