Washington Allon Bartlett

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Washington Allon Bartlett (September 3, 1812 - 1871) Served as the first Alcalde (Mayor), July 1846 to Feb 1847, of the American era of San Francisco. Born in Maine. He was married and had at least one daughter. A Lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Portsmouth at the time the town of Yerba Buena was taken by American forces in July 1846. Captain John B. Montgomery assigned Bartlett to administer the local government of Yerba Buena, making Bartlett the first American alcalde or chief magistrate.

Bartlett, a fluent Spanish speaker, ordered a survey of the town by Jasper O’Farrell. He is responsible for naming the first five streets, probably Howard, California, Clay, Montgomery, and Washington. On the first map in 1847, Pacific Street was originally called Bartlett.

On January 30, 1847, at the end of his term, Bartlett issued an ordinance renaming Yerba Buena to San Francisco. He was succeeded as alcalde by Edwin Bryant.