7/22/2019

Landmark information

  • Location:
    In front of recreation center on Elk St, Glen Canyon Park, San Francisco
  • Plaque:
    Official State Plaque
  • Site:
    Nothing Remains
  • Date First Visited:
    3/2/1997
  • Date Most Recently Visited:
    7/22/2019
  • GPS Coordinates:
    N 37 44.170, W 122 26.393

About this landmark

Plaque text:

The first dynamite factory in America
Giant Powder Company, under personal license of inventor Alfred Nobel, began producing dynamite here on March 19, 1868. On November 26, 1869, a massive explosion leveled the complex's buildings and fences. Giant Powder soon resumed operations in west San Francisco, and moved to its final site at Pt. Pinole in 1892. As a pioneer company, Giant Powder was so influential that "Giant" became synonymous with "dynamite," a vital ingredient for California's early development.