Historical Pioneer Woolen Mills & Ghirardelli Co

The site of the Pioneer Woolen Mills was chosen for its strategic position right on the original San Francisco Bay shoreline. Before the area was reshaped by modern street grids and development, the mill was built at an acute angle to the water to take advantage of easy access to coal and raw wool deliveries by ship. The nearby bay waters served a functional purpose, as workers used them to wash both raw and dyed wool in the early days of the operation.