From the Great Sand Waste to the Richmond: Difference between revisions
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'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>''' | |||
''by Chris Carlsson'' | |||
[[Image:richmond$richmond-aerial-view-1901.jpg]] | [[Image:richmond$richmond-aerial-view-1901.jpg]] | ||
'''North West Aerial View of Richmond district in 1901.''' ''Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA'' | '''North West Aerial View of Richmond district in 1901.'''<br> ''Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA'' | ||
Before 1900s, the Richmond district referred as the "Great Sand Waste" was just inhabited by [[Cemeteries at foot of Lone Mountain| cemeteries]]. | Before 1900s, the Richmond district referred as the "Great Sand Waste" was just inhabited by [[Cemeteries at foot of Lone Mountain| cemeteries]]. | ||
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By the 1890s, when 3,000 residents lived in the "Outside Land", it was time for a real name. The local Improvement Club officially give the [[Why is it called "Richmond"? |Richmond its name]]. | By the 1890s, when 3,000 residents lived in the "Outside Land", it was time for a real name. The local Improvement Club officially give the [[Why is it called "Richmond"? |Richmond its name]]. | ||
Development in the Richmond was greatly improved by the efforts of Adolph Sutro, often called the "Father of the Richmond District". When he moved to the district in 1880s, he bought and remodeled the fire-gutted Cliff House. He built the [[The Sutro Baths (ruins) |Sutro Baths]] and developed gardens open to the public (where [[The Mysterious Buried Statues of Sutro Park|Sutro Park]] is today). | Development in the Richmond was greatly improved by the efforts of [[Adolph Sutro|Adolph Sutro]], often called the "Father of the Richmond District". When he moved to the district in 1880s, he bought and remodeled the fire-gutted Cliff House. He built the [[The Sutro Baths (ruins) |Sutro Baths]] and developed gardens open to the public (where [[The Mysterious Buried Statues of Sutro Park|Sutro Park]] is today). | ||
''--Chris Carlsson'' | ''--Chris Carlsson'' | ||
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[[Image:Richmond dunes looking towards lone mtn late 19th c.jpg]] | [[Image:Richmond dunes looking towards lone mtn late 19th c.jpg]] | ||
'''View southeast across Richmond towards [[LONE MOUNTAIN|Lone Mountain]], late 19th century''' | '''View southeast across Richmond towards [[LONE MOUNTAIN|Lone Mountain]], late 19th century'''<br>''Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA'' | ||
''Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA'' | |||
[[Cemeteries at foot of Lone Mountain |Prev. Document]] [[Sand Dunes in the Richmond |Next Document]] | [[Cemeteries at foot of Lone Mountain |Prev. Document]] [[Sand Dunes in the Richmond |Next Document]] | ||
[[category:Richmond]] [[category:Ecology]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:1850s]] [[category:1860s]] [[category:1890s]] | [[category:Richmond]] [[category:Ecology]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:1850s]] [[category:1860s]] [[category:1890s]] | ||
Revision as of 17:46, 17 January 2009
Historical Essay
by Chris Carlsson
North West Aerial View of Richmond district in 1901.
Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA
Before 1900s, the Richmond district referred as the "Great Sand Waste" was just inhabited by cemeteries.
As San Francisco's population exploded during the Gold Rush, people looked to the northwest of the city for cheap land to bury its dead. Between 1854 and 1864, four cemeteries arose around Lone Mountain: Laurel Hill, Calvary, Masonic and Odd Fellows cemeteries.
In 1854, San Francisco annexed Richmond under the Consolidation Act, including the territories from First Avenue (now Arguello) to the ocean and from Fulton Street to Fort Presidio. Stockmen and dairy farms established ranches in the dunes.
In 1863 when the Cliff House Resort was opened by Sam Brannan, it attracted wealthy people to venture to the shoreline. But access over the sand dunes was difficult. Early residents petitioned city officials to build a road. In 1864, Point Lobos, now Geary Blvd, became the first toll road extending from the city to the ocean. It meant a great deal to the development of the Richmond as it prompted many downtown residents to move out to settle along the road.
Northerly view over Richmond district towards Presidio, c. 1880s
Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA
By the 1890s, when 3,000 residents lived in the "Outside Land", it was time for a real name. The local Improvement Club officially give the Richmond its name.
Development in the Richmond was greatly improved by the efforts of Adolph Sutro, often called the "Father of the Richmond District". When he moved to the district in 1880s, he bought and remodeled the fire-gutted Cliff House. He built the Sutro Baths and developed gardens open to the public (where Sutro Park is today).
--Chris Carlsson
View southeast across Richmond towards Lone Mountain, late 19th century
Photo: Greg Gaar Collection, San Francisco, CA