Thanks for your comments, Matthew. The porn shop you mention, formerly the Art Theater, was in a storefront of the Grand Hotel, not the Golden Gate Theater. It went out of business over a year ago. The lease was recently acquired by Gray Area Foundation, an arts group, with the help of the non-profit North of Market Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. For six years, i lived a half-block away from the Golden Gate Theatre, and in that time I saw on a daily basis how the theater often sat empty for months at a time. I still pass by the theater at least once a week and little has changed.

Yet another memory brought to life by your incredible website. I spent my youth in various pisswater towns in Texas like Corsicana, population 9,000 or so. The only thing that saved me growing up was the movies which showed me there was more to life than Texas could offer. In 1964 at aged 19 I packed a bag and hitchhiked to San Francisco. I arrived with $15 and spent $12 of it to get a room at the National Hotel. It consisted of a single bed, a small chest of drawers and a sink in the corner. I got a job at Tad’s Steak House on Powell Street bussing tables. I can’t even remember how much I got paid but it was enough to pay for the room which I was rarely in. I spent most of the time wandering this incredible city.

I had a split shift at Tad’s and had four hours off between the day and evening shifts. The Powell Theatre was very close so I spent my mid day hours mainly at the Powell Theater nearby. Its fare was 2nd runs with a healthy dose of older films as well and all for the admission price of 25 cents.

I’ve been tempted many times in the past just to go up the stairs at the National Hotel and ask if I could have a look at the place but never got up the nerve. I haven’t been in that section of town for several years now. Your incredible site makes me want to hop the bart and give it a try. I doubt if I ever will though. The memories of that hotel are the memories of my freedom from the midwest and as small as the room was I will always remember it as one of the best parts of my life.

Hope you add more to your web site. I have been on it for hours filled with nostalgia over your stories and your incredible pictures.

Thanks indeed for the memories!!!!!!

I well remember Tad’s Steak House. When I emigrated here in 1968 from Ohio, I was enrolled at the SF Art Institute and lived much of my first year in the Fillmore District. Part of my trip to school every day was the Powell and Hyde cable car (as you no doubt remember, Muni fare on all lines was then only $0.20). I often stopped in at the Woolworth store (now the Gap) on the corner of Powell and Market, where I would use the photo booth. What I would give to still have those old pictures! I also worked for a few months selling tickets at the Centre Theater on Market Street.

That you have such vivid memories of your youthful days in the central city would probably make a return visit a rather depressing experience. Every day that I walk these streets, I feel—along with many other things—a sense of loss for a time gone by, making remembrance a bittersweet cup from which to drink.

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to read your words, Arthur. Thank you for writing, but even more, thank you for caring about the future of the Mid-Market corridor. I will be sending you an email with my contact information today.

James, your words have made my day. Thanks so much for letting me know!

So refreshing to view your works and new additional descriptions entailing the architectural transformations developing in mid-market…
It’s such a shame the Granada Theatre is no longer here…I love the cityscape line of how it looked back in 1925, and seeing the skeleton formation of the construction site for the Golden Gate Theatre… nostalgic indeed…

P.

The photograph that shows the Golden Gate Theater’s framework is one of my favorites. Another favorite is the photo taken around 1923, the street-level view looking east on Market St. from just below Jones. When I look at that picture, the emotions I feel are indescribable. I just want to BE there.

M.

It is pleasing to view all of these beautiful photos and writing. You have documented it all and so enjoyable to read and to look at. In particular, I love the original Fox Building- gosh, the new Fox high-rise is so awful! I wish the Fox had never been demolished. I also love the original Odd Fellows building. and of course Furniture and Carpets and the Golden Gate Theater.

While juxtaposing the original buildings against the current look, you have captured some lovely shots and seen at different times of day- you bring the true beauty and essence of these decayed and forgotten landmarks…cant wait to have a copy of your book!!!

bravo!

Thanks, Patricia. I’ll trade you a copy of my book for a copy of your book. Deal?