The first brick building in San Francisco was erected in September 1849 by William Heath Davis, on the northwest corner of Montgomery and California streets.

While the building was being erected, enterprising citizens of Benicia, a rival metropolis at that time, made a proposition to transport all the bricks and material to Benicia and erect the building there gratis. A fine site was also thrown in free of cost.

Davis declined, but the bitter rivalry between San Francisco and Benicia continued warm, and peppered with increasing jealousy.

The brick building was later leased to the U.S. Government for a Custom House in June 1850 at a rent of $3000 per month.

The structure was destroyed in the big fire of 1857.