Originally accessed:
7/28/2005
Organization:
General Services Administration
Notes:
In 1939, when construction of the Appraisers Building was begun, freight and most goods were still shipped by sea, although truck transportation had become an increasingly important means of domestic transport. In general, most of the requirements for appraisal, storage and testing remained the same for the new structure as for the 1874 building. A loading dock was, however, included to accommodate trucked freight. Rapid changes in transportation after World War II had a significant affect on the use of the Appraisers Building. On the local level, the development of the Naval Supply Depot in Oakland, California, during World War II, accelerated the commercial development of the Port of Oakland and, consequently, drew commerce away from the Port of San Francisco. On the national level, air freight became increasingly important. By the 1950s, the popularity of air freight had increased, at the expense of the Port of San Francisco. Since the completion of the Appraisers Building in 1944, the need for freight inspection and investigation at local airports and other ports of entry increased and the need for U. S. Customs warehouse, appraisal, and laboratory functions at the Port of San Francisco has significantly reduced. Today, these Customs functions occupy about one quarter of their original square footage in the Appraisers Building. The Appraisers Building was designed as a replacement for the Angel Island quarantine station operated by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Upper floors of the Appraisers Building were originally a "detention hotel" with private rooms, dormitories, day rooms, outdoor terraces, and multiple kitchens to provide for various ethnic cuisine. These spaces were utilized until about 1960, after which the I.N.S. ceased detaining any persons overnight in the Appraisers Building."
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