Produced by David A. Schwan <davidsch@earthlink.net>
The Lure of San Francisco
A Romance Amid Old Landmarks
By
Elizabeth Gray Potter
and
Mabel Thayer Gray
Illustrated By
Audley B. Wells
Paul Elder & Company
Publishers San Francisco
Copyright, 1915, By
Paul Elder & Co.
San Francisco
To Our Mother
Preface
The average visitor considers California's claim to historic recognitionas dating from the discovery of gold. Her children, both by birth andadoption, have a hazy pride in her Spanish origin but are too busy withtoday's interests to take much thought of it. They know that somewhereover in the Mission is the old adobe church. They rejoice that itescaped the fire but have no time to visit it. They will proudly telltheir eastern friends of its existence and that the Presidio receivedits name from the Spaniards but further narration of the heritage islost in exclamations over the beauty of the drives and the views, whilethe historic significance of Portsmouth Square is smothered in thedelight over Chinese embroideries, bronzes and cloisonné.
May this little book aid in the general awaking of the dormant love ofevery Californian for his possessions and be a suggestion to the casualvisitor that we are entitled to the dignity of age.
Contents
Preface
The Mission and its Romance
A view from Twin Peaks—The city with its historic crosses. A visit
to the old church—Its past, and the romance of Lüis Argüello.
The Presidio, Past and Present
The Spanish Fortifications and the love story of Concepcion and
Rezánov.
The Plaza and its Echoes
A Chinese restaurant. Yerba Buena and the reminiscences of a
forty-niner.
Telegraph Hill of Unique Fame
The Latin quarter. The signal station of '49 and a view of the city
as it was. The Golden Gate.
List of Illustrations
The Mission
"The modern structures crowd upon the low adobe building."
Prayer Book Cross
"A granite cross just visible above the trees in Golden Gate Park."
At Lotta's Fountain
"We watched the people purchasing flowers on the corner."
The Officer's Club House at the Presidio
"Of a different generation from its neighbors."
A Street in Chinatown
"We must take a look at the spot where the first house stood."
Portsmouth Square
"The entire history of San Francisco was made around this Plaza."
A Fountain in the Latin Quarter
"Stooping to drink from his hand on the edge of a little pool."
A Sunset Thro' the Golden Gate
"The last rays gilded the cliffs on either side."
The Mission
A view from Twin Peaks—The city with its historic crosses. A visit tothe old church—Its past, and the romance of Lüis Argüello.
The Mission and Its Romance
"Tickets to the city, Sir?" The conductor's voice sounded above therumble of the train. As my companion's hand went to his pocket heglanced at me with a quizzical smile.
"I should think you Oaklanders would resent that. Hasn't your town puton long skirts since the fire?" There was an unpleasant emphasis on thelast phrase, but