Industrial Operations

The history of the Town Center site is centered around industrial activities. In the early 20th century, Standard Portland Cement Company established its plant on the site. Limestone and clay were quarried for over three decades to manufacture cement. At its peak, 2,000 barrels of cement were produced each day by up to 200 employees working in 12-hour shifts. This cement was vital in rebuilding San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire. The company closed its operations in the 1930s.

The site was once again occupied by an industrial use in the 1940s. Basalt Rock Company produced lightweight aggregate from volcanic rock found onsite. This was used in constructing high-rise buildings. The company’s operations lasted for almost three decades ending in 1978 when on-site mineral resources were exhausted.

These companies constructed a number of industrial structures on the Town Center site. The Standard Portland Cement Company built manufacturing units, warehouses, kilns and on-site worker housing.

Later in the 1940s, the Basalt Rock Company constructed additional structures including the silos and round building.

Agricultural-Vineyards

Following the end of industrial activities, Jaeger Vineyards purchased the property in 1985 for cultivating grapes. Attempts at grape cultivation failed, as soils on site were no longer suitable for vineyards. The industrial site proved to be incapable of supporting agriculture activities.