The Old U.S. Mint at 5th and Mission

Back of the Old Mint Building, mid-1990s.

Old U.S. Mint, 88 Fifth Street at Mission. After spending three years making his literary mark in England, The Wickedest Man in San Francisco: Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Bierce returned to San Francisco in 1875. Like many a writer after him, Bierce discovered that "making a living in San Francisco by freelancing was next to impossible" and went to work at the Mint. John Dillinger's explanation of why he robbed banks — "That's where the money is" — was presumably also Bierce's excuse.

The diabolic wordsmith wasn't the only beneficiary of the Mint's largesse. The Old Mint played a key role in San Francisco's amazing recovery from the 1906 earthquake; its vast reserves were used to create the money and credit that sparked the rebuilding spree. The historic building has since been converted into a museum, but was closed in 1994. Plans are afoot to reopen soon.

--Dr. Weirde

Front of the Old Mint Building at 5th and Mission survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Contributors to this page include:

Carlsson,Chris - Photographer-Artist

Carlsson,Chris - Photographer-Artist

Weirde,Dr. - Writer

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