The Bay Crossings store in the Ferry Building sells ferry tickets and memorabilia and functions as the default information center. Those of us who work at the store have people come up all the time wanting to share feelings, stories, and reactions about the Ferry Building. They’re all over the map, from funny, to the very personal, to the outright weird. We thought it would be worthwhile asking people to write them down, so herewith excerpts from the official Ferry Building register.

Hey Ferry Building! You’re a star! I saw you in Interview with a Vampire. You were great! Can I have your autograph? No? Well, here’s mine.
Ezno Barnes

My father disembarked from near the Ferry Terminal in January 1944, on his way to Saipan with the Army Air Force in World War II. He had married my mother and I was born nine months later, to the day, September 18, 1944.
Jay Pearce
Portland, OR

Howdy! We are here on vacation from Texas. We just want to wish you good luck in your business.
The 3 Texas Gals

Ah, Beauty restored, revitalized and re-inhabited. I adore you!
Beth Parnay

It took me half a century but I finally made it across the country to your breathlessly beautiful city.
Sue Pastorni
Jacksonville, FL

My grandmother was expecting her first child in April 1906. All pregnant women were advised to leave the city. She went on the ferry to Alameda and stayed with friends until my uncle was born later that month.
Janet Roach
Grass Valley, CA

In the late 1920s, my parents brought cattle to the Cow Palace from their ranch in Pleasant Valley. NV. We would take the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco and stay in the Travelers Hotel, where all the cattlemen stayed.
Marian Lavoy
Reno, NV

In 1955 we’d take the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco and back at night to experience the lights and–and get our girlfriends close to keep us warm!
Gus Norton

Came to celebrate a friend’s birthday…we’re supposed to be in a limo going to Sonoma/Napa with 9 others…but we bailed, would rather be here! Wine country: been there, done that. This is way better!
unsigned

Ohmigod. I just turned the corner and stepped inside. I’ve lived here for 8 years and never knew it was here. I am an idiot.
unsigned

It’s freakin’ cold here. I’m going back to Guam.
Katie Worth

Hey, cashier guy! Call me, you’re cute!
unsigned

I made friends with pigeons. Didn’t take long.
Miriam D.

I rode the ferry to the World’s Fair. My father did the mosaics there. I went to school in a Dewey school at the fair.
Gretchen Lupow
Alameda, CA

We came. We saw. We ate.
unsigned

My name is Peanut. I like to eat dog. He calls me potato sometimes. It’s like red butterfly. Cheese. Pineapple. Elephant. Period.
unsigned