Telegraph Hill, circa 1853, from The Annals of San Francisco, 1855.

"Everybody in San Francisco knew the signal for a side-wheel steamer; and about the time one was expected with the mails, men used to come to their store doors and look up at the signal-house on Telegraph Hill, right in the line of Montgomery street. The signal for the side-wheel steamer was like two outstretched uplifted arms—two long, black boards, one on each side of the long, black signal pole....One night [James Sheridan Knowles's] 'The Hunchback' was being performed at the American Theatre....The play had progressed to where 'Julia' has quarreled with 'Clifford,' and 'Master Walter,' just hearing of it, comes in, all excitement, and walks to the centre of the stage. The actor's figure, dressed entirely in black, stood in bold relief against the white, flower-spotted scenery representing the drawing-room walls. Throwing up his arms, long and black, he exclaimed, 'What does this mean?' 'Side-wheel steamer,' roared an immense voice from the gallery. The effect was electrical." –from Men and Memories of San Francisco in the Spring of '50, by Gold Rush saloon keepers T.A. Barry and B.A. Patten, 1873.

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