Alamo Square

It is believed that some San Franciscans who died in the 1906 earthquake and fire are buried in Alamo Square. A temporary camp was almost set up in the square for those who were left homeless by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The terrace of restored three-story wooden homes on the east side of Steiner Street between Hayes and Fulton Streets across from Alamo Square was built by Irish-born property developer Matthew Kavanaugh in the 1890’s. They were originally sold for $3,500. Kavanaugh, who lived at 722 Steiner from 1892 through 1900, couldn’t have envisioned that a century later his houses would be among the most photographed vantage points in San Francisco, known as “postcard row.” The colorfully painted, elaborate Victorians contrast sharply with the skyscrapers of the Financial District looming in the background. The houses have been the ‘homes’ of characters in the motion pictures Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Woman in Red (1984), and Maxie (1985), and the television programs Too Close for Comfort (1980-1986) and Full House (1987-1995). Respectfully taken from SAN FRANCISCO SECRETS by John Snyder, Chronicle Books 1999

(Alamo Square is a half block away and just around the corner from where I live. If I climb out the window and stand on the roof that overlooks my backyard garden, I can see the backside of these houses on Steiner Street). A family of raccoons (five members) pay nocturnal visits to my backyard on a regular basis. They sleep in the big old trees at Alamo Square during the day and come out foraging late at night when the neighborhood is quiet.)

http://www.sfneighborhoodparks.org/parkhistories/alamosquare.html

http://alamosq.org/park.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Square

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