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288 DAYSSan Francisco · 1915 ⌕
Gazetteer › The Zone
The Zone

The Submarines

A simulated undersea voyage entered through the mouths of giant plaster bullheads beneath Neptune and his rearing sea horses, admired from outside, avoided inside.

The Submarines, one of the largest concessions on the Zone
The Submarines, one of the largest concessions on the ZoneThe Blue Book, official souvenir view book (Robert A. Reid, 1915), via Internet Archive / San Francisco Public Library · Public domain (published 1915, United States) · Restored

The Official Guide promised "a reproduction of naval submarines under water." The front was among the most striking on the Zone. Neptune and his sea horses reared overhead. Visitors went in and out through the mouths of enormous plaster bullheads, into a grotto vestibule lined with tanks of swimming trout.

The show failed anyway. Some of the Exposition's department heads blamed the name: people did not want to be immersed for fun and seemed afraid they might be. Most were content to admire the front and walk on. It was still unfinished two days before opening.

At a glance

  • Listed in the Official Guide among the Zone's major concessions.
  • Its front featured Neptune and sea horses; entrance and exit were through plaster bullheads.
  • Still behind schedule two days before opening (Todd).

Afterward

Demolished with the Zone in 1916.

Where it stood

The Submarines stood at about 37.80219 N, 122.43014 W on today's map. The whole fairground over the city →

Sources