random facts about san francisco
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Introduction
here are some random factoids about san francisco. an interesting city, to say the least.
1
steepest grades
filbert between leavenworth and hyde; 22nd street between church and vicksburg, both 31.5 percent gradient.
"when you get tired of walking around san francisco, you can always lean against it."
"when you get tired of walking around san francisco, you can always lean against it."
2
lombard street
known as the "crookedest street in the world". it's not the crookestest street - vermont street at 20th & 22nd is more crooked - and it only comes in at a measly 18% gradient.
3
over my dead body
san francisco outlawed burials in 1901, and the presidio and mission have the city's only remaining cemeteries. the dead are in neighboring colma, making it the world's only incorporated city where the dead outnumber the living. permanent residents of its 16 cemeteries include wyatt earp and joe dimaggio.
4
cable cars
san francisco cable cars are the only moving national historic landmark.
5
golden gate bridge
the golden gate bridge, with 23 miles of ladders and 300,000 rivets in each tower, was the world's longest span when it opened in 1937. when it opened, the san francisco chronicle heralded the bridge as "a thirty-five million dollar steel harp!".
seventeen ironworkers and 38 painters constantly fight rust and renew the international orange paint on its 1.7-mile span. there are "crisis center" phones every half mile or so - don't jump!
seventeen ironworkers and 38 painters constantly fight rust and renew the international orange paint on its 1.7-mile span. there are "crisis center" phones every half mile or so - don't jump!
6
mission dolores
mission dolores is the oldest building in san francisco, built in 1791. two major earthquakes couldn't topple it, but tiny powderpost beetles almost did in 2000, chewing their way to international fame before they were stopped.
7
earthquakes
quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm
80% of the city was destroyed by earthquake and (mainly) fire damage in 1906. there are tiny tremblors everyday, and a big one lurking (eek). there is a map on the san francisco chronicle's homepage that tracks daily seismic activity. link above.
8
barbary coast
during the gold rush, men needed entertainment:
"The Barbary Coast is the haunt of the low and the vile of every kind. The petty thief, the house burglar, the tramp, the whoremonger, lewd women, cutthroats, murderers, all are found here. Dance-halls and concert-saloons, where blear-eyed men and faded women drink vile liquor, smoke offensive tobacco, engage in vulgar conduct, sing obscene songs and say and do everything to heap upon themselves more degradation, are numerous. Low gambling houses, thronged with riot-loving rowdies, in all stages of intoxication, are there. Opium dens, where heathen Chinese and God-forsaken men and women are sprawled in miscellaneous confusion, disgustingly drowsy or completely overcome, are there. Licentiousness, debauchery, pollution, loathsome disease, insanity from dissipation, misery, poverty, wealth, profanity, blasphemy, and death, are there. And Hell, yawning to receive the putrid mass, is there also."
sounds fun!
"The Barbary Coast is the haunt of the low and the vile of every kind. The petty thief, the house burglar, the tramp, the whoremonger, lewd women, cutthroats, murderers, all are found here. Dance-halls and concert-saloons, where blear-eyed men and faded women drink vile liquor, smoke offensive tobacco, engage in vulgar conduct, sing obscene songs and say and do everything to heap upon themselves more degradation, are numerous. Low gambling houses, thronged with riot-loving rowdies, in all stages of intoxication, are there. Opium dens, where heathen Chinese and God-forsaken men and women are sprawled in miscellaneous confusion, disgustingly drowsy or completely overcome, are there. Licentiousness, debauchery, pollution, loathsome disease, insanity from dissipation, misery, poverty, wealth, profanity, blasphemy, and death, are there. And Hell, yawning to receive the putrid mass, is there also."
sounds fun!
9
small
san francisco is small in size, and locked in on three sides by water. the dimensions of the city are roughly seven miles by seven miles.
Fascinating stuff! Thanks, this is cool!
We were recently in San Francisco. This is a few things I recall from the tour guides...
49 square miles - 10,000 cars registered per square mile
more dogs live in S.F. than children
the golden gate bridge was originally to be white with gold trim. The international orange primer was so popular, the city decided not to put on the top coats.
It takes 7 years - start to finish- to paint the bridge. When they make the last brush stroke, they start over.
The bay bridge and golden gate construction was started at the same time. The bay bridge was completed 8 months before the golden gate.
The golden gate was designed by a young man who did NOT have an architectural degree.
Alcatraz, once considered by the people of S.F. to be the city's worst eye sore is the TOP tourist attraction.
26-28,000 homes and buildings were destroyed by the 1906 fire. The Victorian houses in Pacific Heights were saved because houses below were dynamited to create a firebreak. The owners had to be removed from their homes by gunpoint.
We had a great time. Wonderful city to visit!
I loved your list!
49 square miles - 10,000 cars registered per square mile
more dogs live in S.F. than children
the golden gate bridge was originally to be white with gold trim. The international orange primer was so popular, the city decided not to put on the top coats.
It takes 7 years - start to finish- to paint the bridge. When they make the last brush stroke, they start over.
The bay bridge and golden gate construction was started at the same time. The bay bridge was completed 8 months before the golden gate.
The golden gate was designed by a young man who did NOT have an architectural degree.
Alcatraz, once considered by the people of S.F. to be the city's worst eye sore is the TOP tourist attraction.
26-28,000 homes and buildings were destroyed by the 1906 fire. The Victorian houses in Pacific Heights were saved because houses below were dynamited to create a firebreak. The owners had to be removed from their homes by gunpoint.
We had a great time. Wonderful city to visit!
I loved your list!
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