montague in the gardens Ellis Island of the West, where would-be immigrants, mostly Chinese, could be detained for months. D

Ellis Island of the West, where would-be immigrants, mostly Chinese, could be detained for months. During World War II, it served as a prisoner of war camp and later as a missile base. Treasure Island was built in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition and was a US Navy base during World War II; it is now once again owned by the city and has recently become San Francisco s newest suburb. Yerba Buena Island is a Coast Guard station and is mostly closed to visitors. d Ferries from Pier 41

American Takeover Impending war with Mexico in the 1840s inspired montague in the gardens US leaders to arouse the interest of Bay Area settlers in joining the Union. In 1846, a party of Yankees in Sonoma declared California s independence from Mexico, christening it the Bear Flag Republic. Shortly after, Commodore John Sloat claimed California as US territory.