The pueblo El Parage de Yerba Buena, or "the place of the good grass," originally got its name from the local vine that grew locally in profusion around the area. It was located three miles away from the presidio that defended the area.
The small town was renamed by a proclamation made by Lt. Bartlett of the Portsmouth. The mexican "plaza" became Portsmouth Square and the waterfront street was deemed Montgomery Street in honor of Bartlett's commander.(8)