FoundSF

Unfinished History

The Ruthenberg House at 121 Haight Street served as "the Workers Cultural Center" of San Francisco in the early 1930s. It housed the Workers' Library and Bookstore, the Workers' School, the Workers' Theater, International Labor Defense, the San Francisco Film and Photo League, and the Strike Kitchen where food was served to strikers during the 1934 General Strike. Vigilantes attacked the Ruthenberg House in July 1934 as the General Strike was breaking out, shattering windows, and destroying the stage of the theater.