ALASKA PACKERS
Between Grand and Sherman was the highly profitable fishing company called the Alaska Packers. From 1860 to 1870, the Alaska Packers acquired substantial holdings on the Northern Waterfront. They had many tall ships in their fishing fleet called Star ships. The Star of India, now docked in San Diego was one of those ships. Today, that area includes Wind River and Encinal Terminals.
In 1919, Alaska Packers asked the city to close the foot of Paru Street and the Western terminus of Eagle Avenue and also asked that the city remove the present bridges across the estuary as they are a hazard to navigation. In return the Alaska Packers promised to guarantee the city a rights of way through their property for the industrial railroad, but at some unspecified future date because the city didn't yet have a definite plan.
However, when the time came, in April of 1924, Alaska Packers refused to let the Beltline go straight through its property. (It was probably because in 1917 the city took title to the waterfront and was leasing to everyone, including the Alaska Packers who finally agreed in 1920 to $150,000 for 50 years.)
The city was faced with having to take the line southwesterly to Buena Vista Avenue, and then from Buena Vista Avenue, northwesterly to Sherman Street at the cost of $40,000. Additionally, it was estimated that it would take another $255,000 to extend to Main Street, and the city didn't have the money. The city would have to sell.
