San Francisco grew exponentially following the Californian Goldrush of 1848, from a population of around 1000 to 25,000 by 1849. By 1906 the population was around 400,000, and in the April of that year they experienced a horrendous nature disaster.

I first prepared this post before the current similar horror that Los Angeles is suffering. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the LA fires, especially those who have lost loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods and their community.

In San Francisco the fires were caused by a major earthquake which ruptured gas lines. The city burned for three days, leaving 250,000 homeless and 80% of the city destroyed. Deaths from the San Francisco earthquake and fire are now estimated to have been around 3000.

The burning of San Francisco photographed by Harry Sterling Hooper

Noe Valley, at the time part quarry and part working class district, was one of the few areas of the city which wasn’t destroyed by fire. Mainly because of a fire hydrant on its borders with the Mission District. Nearly all of the fire hydrants, not that were many in 1906, were badly damaged in the earthquake. This one, now known as the Golden Fire Hydrant, survived, and so Noe Valley and parts of Mission had water to fight the fires.

Even in Noe Valley however residents and refuges who had fled other districts understandably preferred to stay outside the buildings in the days following the earthquake.

The city and its residents recovered, and many of the buildings built before and shortly after the earthquake survive to this day. The buildings (and not the quake) are today’s Squares post, as I take you on part of a brilliant walking tour I did in Noe Valley last year.

Square as this Day 21 of The Squares Challenge

The buildings are known as ‘The Victorians’, now expensive homes but once mostly occupied by working class families. These homes are now know as ‘The Painted Ladies’ and you can understand why. The colours and intricate geometric designs are incredible.

Although admittedly many have been embellished since they were built and some were built post 1901 and so guess those technically are Edwardian’s, however they are generally known as The Victorians.

Different builders were involved, and so there are varying styles across the city. I was actually told the names and particular styles of each of the buildings on my walking tour, but sadly I forgot to take notes. So instead you will just have to enjoy my photographs of them rather than their stories.

If you do want to know more here’s a great online article or even better go on a tour yourself. The tour was led by two local residents who are part of the San Francisco City Guides; a team of more than 300 volunteers running over 75 different tours. I only had time for this tour, but if I am ever back in San Francisco I will definitely be signing up to do others. The tours are superb and amazingly they are all free!

Sometimes oblongs work better, but there is a square in shot!

88 thoughts

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  9. They are interesting aren’t they? I took loads of photos too. Some of these are simply frontal facades though, quite ordinary from the back. I suppose a bit like the Georgian fronts that were built onto the timber-framed buildings in England. I would love to have a look inside one of them though.

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  14. I saw and photographed many of these old houses around Alamo Square and the Haight, but a walking tour dedicated to them would have been even more interesting!

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  15. They’re definitely beautiful. Philadelphia has some similar homes which are always fun to see, but they’re not all in a row like these.

    We’re thankful our family isn’t near any of the fires in LA. What a disaster!

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    1. always find it fascinating how different cites develop

      and such a relief for you none of your family are near it all

      Like

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