Which major U.S. city was originally named Yerba Buena before adopting its current name in 1847?
Los Angeles
Houston
San Francisco
Philadelphia
Fact: Before it became the world-famous city of San Francisco, the settlement was known as Yerba Buena, named after a fragrant native herb that grew abundantly in the area. In 1847, just before the California Gold Rush transformed the region, the town was officially renamed San Francisco to match the nearby bay and the former Spanish mission. Within just a few years, the city’s population exploded as fortune seekers from around the world poured in, transforming the once-small settlement into one of America’s most prominent cities.
Correct Answer: San Francisco