Banalization in Maritime Heritage: The Case Study of S.S. Contra Costa.

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

This poster delves into the concept of banalization in the context of maritime heritage, spotlighting overlooked yet culturally significant sites that, despite local visibility, lack formal documentation. Emphasizing the urgency of recording these resources before eventual loss, the study focuses on S.S. Contra Costa, a 433-foot rail ferry that rests in a cove, adjacent to the California State University, Maritime Academy. Launched in 1914 and hailed as an engineering feat, the ferry became obsolete and was repurposed as a fishing pier in 1930, then deliberately burned to the waterline and dynamited 15 years later. What remains of the vessel is rapidly disappearing. By examining Contra Costa, the poster showcases the endangered maritime heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area and stresses the importance of formally documenting these seemingly mundane resources to preserve the region's rich maritime history.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025   •
• 2025 SHA Poster Submissions

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow