Category Archives: History

Campos Compromises-Terminal Not SFO to be Renamed in Milk’s Memory

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Harvey Milk stencil by SF artist Jeremy Novy

Harvey Milk stencil by SF artist Jeremy Novy

As the Biscuit has reported several times since January, Supervisor David Campos (District 9), introduced the idea of renaming SFO in honor of slain civil rights leader and Castro icon, Harvey Milk. Now it seems the powers that be have come up with a compromise solution-a terminal within the airport to bear his name instead of the entire facility.

There have been heated debates, rallies and an outpouring of community support for the idea alongside some very organized opposition to Campos’ plan.

While the late Supervisor Milk and his legacy are revered in some circles others felt he didn’t deserve such a magnanimous gesture of having the airport re-tagged in his honor. Campos’ had five votes sewn up from fellow Supervisors to move forward with his rebranding bid but the all important sixth deciding vote eluded him. That vote would have to be supplied by one of the freshmen Supervisors and none seemed convinced it was in their constituents (or perhaps theirs political) best interest.

Note Terminal 1 the unofficial selection to be renamed for Harvey Milk. Photo: FlySFO.

Note Terminal 1 the unofficial selection to be renamed for Harvey Milk. Photo: FlySFO.

Becoming convinced the job would be a raucous, uphill battle where the final decision for the name change would be placed before City voters in an off-year November ballot initiative Campos worked with Mayor Ed Lee to find a compromise-renaming one of SFO’s terminals in Harvey’s memory.

The plan now stands a committee composed of members hand-picked by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s camps representing both of their interests would put together a proposal for how to make this all happen and come back with solid plans and goals within the next three months.

Supervisor Campos’ dream of having visitors to our City pass through Harvey Milk Airport has been whittled down, but, he believes his main goal-of teaching and honoring Harvey’s dream of equality and hope for all-can still be realized via the terminals prominence and position.

Which terminal is to be selected still remains to be seen. Currently Terminal One is amidst a remodeled and may be the easiest to transition in signage and other alterations to carry the late Supervisors moniker.

-Reminder the State of California’s official Harvey Milk holiday is May 22nd. Local celebrations are planned. Click the link to see what’s happening locally in the Castro.

The beautiful shrine to Harvey Milk assembled by members of the SF political club named in his honor-Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club

The beautiful shrine to Harvey Milk assembled by members of the SF Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club at the 2012 Milk/Moscone Anniversary March at Castro and Market. Photo: Waiyde Palmer

Celebrations for Harvey Milk Day set for around the Castro

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Harvey Milk Day May 22ndIt’s been 5 years since Arnold Schwarzenegger established Harvey Milk Day. On May 22nd, we celebrate the life of this first-ever openly gay politician, gay rights activist, lover, brother, and to a lucky some, old friend. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, check out some of the events happening around the Castro this week (if we are missing any, let us know and we will get them up!):

May 19th
At 1PM at Jane Warner Plaza, speeches, music and a reenactment of Milk’s stirring 1977 “You’ve Got To Have Hope” speech. The speech will be performed by five local artists: Courtney Walsh and Aaron Wimmer, two actors from “Dear Harvey”, the recent New Conservatory play about Milk’s life; Randall Mann, local poet and winner of the 2003 Kenyon Review Prize in Poetry; Sister Roma, drag artist and 20-year member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and; Andrea Shorter, political activist. Organized by the Castro Community Benefit District.

May 22nd
All day at the GLBT History Museum they will be giving free admission to all visitors and providing special Milk-related displays and tours. In addition, the museum is extending a welcome to Bay Area schools, many of which plan GLBT history activities in conjunction with Harvey Milk Day.

At 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 at the Castro Theatre, the non-profit group, Friends of Harvey Milk, will be showing the film MILK which charts the last eight years of Milk’s life and his political platform, revealing a legacy that resonates in the here and now.

At 7PM at Books, Inc., in comemmoration of Harvey Milk’s birthday the SF GLBT History Museum and Books Inc. present An Archive of Hope: Harvey Milk’s Speeches and Writings, with editors Jason Edward Black and Charles E. Morris III, photographer & former employee at Harvey Milk’s camera shop Daniel Nicoletta, and Harvey’s speechwriter, Frank Robinson. Check out our review of the book.

Land Use Committee vote on landmarking Duboce Park Historic District today

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Duboce Park Landmark District

Duboce Park Landmark District Boundaries

Duboce Park Landmark District Boundaries (credit: SF Planning Dept.)

The Planning Department will be holding a public meeting this afternoon to consider adoption of the proposed Duboce Park Landmark District. Two years ago the department floated the idea of landmarking the area bound by Scott, Waller, Stiener and Duboce streets (excluding Duboce Park) as the Duboce Park Historic District. The area is known for its many historic Victorian-style homes that were built around 1899-1905. The Planning Department and other residents felt it was necessary to landmark the area in order to protect the neighborhood’s unique character and historic architecture. The department held a town-hall meeting in August of 2011 to discuss preservation incentives (including tax credits), alterations, and the permit review process for landmark buildings.

A few homeowners raised concerns about alterations to their properties and felt the permit review process for said renovations may prove to be too lengthy and too restrictive. Working with residents and Supervisor Scott Wiener, the Planning Department was able to address some of these concerns. According to a Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association newsletter,

“This exemplary public process has yielded review standards that allow unparalleled flexibility for owners looking to expand or renovate their historic homes. Bathroom and kitchen remodels may proceed without historic review of any kind. No additional review is required for garage doors, window replacement, seismic work, solar panels, roof replacement, rear yard fences, and most alterations to non-visible facades. Those projects that are subject to review, such as front step replacement and non-visible additions, can be signed off by Planning Department staff after a 20-day wait period. Based on input from residents and Supervisor Wiener, the Planning Department made over two dozen changes in order to streamline approval and exempt entire classes of projects from historic review altogether – only major additions necessitate review by the Historic Preservation Commission”

The modifications to the agreement for landmarking the area’s properties also include a Federal rehab tax credit and legislation that makes it easier to access potential 50 percent reductions in property taxes through the Mill’s Act. According to Curbed SF, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission described the designation ”as the most permissive and flexible landmark designation” she has ever seen.

If you’d like to attend the public hearing, the meeting will be held today at 1:30PM at City Hall room 263.

(via haighteration)

End of Week Updates: Nude Activists Convicted, Castro’s New Bulging Baskets (of Flowers) & More

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This week has raced by and April is nearly at an end. Summer is looming as spring draws to a close and we find ourselves checking back in on a  number of posts to find out what their status is. In no particular order or level of import here goes:

Trey Allen at SF City Hall protesting the new nudity ban on 2/1. (Photo: Justin Sullivan)

Trey Allen at SF City Hall protesting the new nudity ban on 2/1. (Photo: Justin Sullivan)

Nude activists, Russell ‘Trey’ Allen, Oxane ‘Gypsy’ Taub and Dist. 8 Supervisor candidate, George Davis were arrested and cited for violating the brand new nudity ban when they showed the full monty at a rally outside City Hall on Feb. 1 that we posted on, the day the ordinance went into effect. On Tues. the 23rd all were found guilty. They now hold the double honor of first arrested and first convicted under the Wiener Nudity Ban. They were each ordered to pay a $100 fine and $92 in court fees. Their Defense attorney Christina DiEdoardo plans to appeal in 30 days. Miss Taub and Mr. Stevens will be facing the judge again following a second arrest for dancing nude at Jane Warner Plaza.

flowers-one-castroThe 3rd Annual Flowers on Castro Benefit sponsored by the Castro Community Business District (CBD) and Herth Realty on April 18th that we posted about was a smashing success according to all who attended and CBD Exec Director, Andrea Aiello raising 2,000 more than the previous year. The event held at Herth Realty’s office on Castro St.  brought in over 10,334 dollars toward their 15,000 dollar goal in donations and art sales that will be used to replace and maintain the neighborhoods hanging baskets of flora. On Tuesday ten new baskets were installed along the village’s main strip. Art is still available for purchase at Herth’s office and you can peruse it as you will or donations can be made directly here. Special thanks to all the artists whose work was used, restaurants  Pica Pica, Fable and Poesia for providing the food and Swirl who supplied wine for the event. Pix from the event here.

SF State Sen. Mark Leno

SF State Sen. Mark Leno

Early this week we posted Sen. Mark Leno had introduced a bill, SB 635, that would allow individual communities to decide to extend their bar and clubs last calls from the current California limit of 2 AM to 4 AM. Despite a large push for the bill from within the Entertainment and Nightlife Industry the bill was rejected in committee. This is the second time our Senator has introduced this legislation. It has the ability to be brought back again before committee but not this year. It will have to go back and start its upstream swim again through political shark infested waters.  Mr. Leno has made noise that he believes that with the growing number of constituents in favor of the bill the next time up will see a different result. Who knows-maybe three times the charm?

Rally at City Hall in favor of changing SFO to Harvey Milk International Airport. (Photo; SJ Mercury News)

Rally at City Hall in favor of changing SFO to Harvey Milk International Airport. (Photo; SJ Mercury News)

And finally, Dist. 9 Supervisor David Campos’ push to rename SFO for Harvey Milk continues to seek its last supporter from among the other members of the Board of Supervisors so it can move forward. We’ve been posting on this issue since it broke. So far he has five out of the six co-sponsors from his fellows to go forward. Where the elusive sixth nod will come from has proven difficult. The freshmen members of the BOS-Norman Yee, London Breed and recent Mayor Lee appointee for Dist 4 Katy Tang-have been reluctant to sign on. Citing a variety of concerns from cost of the name change to the City or constituent balking at the idea-many think other titans of SF politics and civic duty are equally deserving as Milk have been used by the new Supes to withhold sponsorship. Campos remains undeterred and believes that in the end he will be triumphant.

107th Anniversary of the Great SF Earthquake & the Legend of Castro’s Golden Hydrant

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Golden Hydrant Photo: John O'Duinn's blog

Golden Hydrant Photo: John O’Duinn’s blog

Today marks the 107th anniversary of the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake that nearly knocked the City out. After the powerful quake struck in the pre-dawn hours of April 18th, killing an estimated 3000 citizens and leveling 80% of the City.

A series of explosions followed and a fire began to rage out of control as a result of ruptured gas lines. Unfortunately along with broken gas lines were broken water mains, which meant firefighters were dealing with a serious shortage of water to combat the burning city.

As the fire leapt from building to building fueled by wind and the vacuum the heat was producing neighborhoods scrambled to save homes, businesses and churches.

Fire hydrants ran dry as each neighborhood organized alongside SF Fire Department’s overtaxed and exhausted firefighters. The fire was quickly moving up past Van Ness toward the Mission and the Castro’s borders.

The painting of the Golden Hydrant, 2013 Photo: Lost San Francisco FB

The painting of the Golden Hydrant, 2013 Photo: Lost San Francisco FB

Desperate residents came together at what is now Dolores Park to check the last single fire hydrant left in their neighborhood for water. Miraculously the hydrant at the top of the park at Church and 20th, on the border of Mission/Castro, was still producing water, and hundreds of people pulled horse-drawn fire engines up the Dolores hill to access this last fire hydrant when the engines’ horses couldn’t make it. After a seven-hour long battle against the blaze, the amassed citizen’s and  firefighters saved the neighborhood from total destruction.

Each year the City, neighbors, relatives of survivors of ‘The Big One’ and the SFFD gather at the ‘magic’ hydrant to paint it gold and to remember the heroic efforts of the community and its will to survive giving birth to the true essence of the Castro and the City-that we are all in this together-for better or worse-in this glorious City and neighborhood we call home.

Flashback: the Elephant Walk

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The Elephant Walk Bar and Restaurant (credit: Véronique Errera)

The Elephant Walk Bar and Restaurant (credit: Véronique Errera)

Biscuit reader Véronique shared with us this photo above from the 1980′s of the Elephant Walk bar (now Harvey’s at 500 Castro Street). The photo shows the Castro Street side of the restaurant with the 24 and 35 line bus stop and a sword player with an apple floating in front of him. No doubt he’s slicing and dicing it for the crowds entertainment at one of the Castro’s many street festivals. Harvey’s Restaurant pays homage to this peice of Castro’s history on their website saying,

“On November 27, 1974 (which coincidentally is the same date that Harvey Milk was assassinated in 1978)  Fred Rogers and David Manducca opened the Elephant Walk bar/restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Anderson’s Pharmacy at 500 Castro St . During that time, Castro neighborhood merchant, Harvey Milk owned and operated a camera shop up the street from The Elephant Walk. He praised the bar and hailed it as a place where the gay community could meet, feel safe and secure while at the same time be visible to the whole world. Milk soon became known for his passion and was dubbed the ‘Mayor of the Castro’ –a title that suited him well and permitted him to be a voice and heart for the community.

The bar began to thrive as people within the community embraced their sexuality. The Elephant Walk brought the community together and in the 1970s became a venue for internationally renowned singer and performer Sylvester . As gay culture grew and the neighborhood took shape, Milk became increasingly inspired and motivated by his community’s support. It wasn’t long before he progressed from the Mayor of the Castro to becoming the first openly gay member elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Not only was this promotion a feat for Milk and his career, but for the gay community as well.

Harvey took office on January 8, 1978 and his new role on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was not without controversy. Tragically, on November 27th, 1978, both Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed in their City Hall offices by fellow board member Supervisor Dan White.

On March 21, 1979 White was convicted of the crime but only charged with manslaughter. Outraged by the verdict, the community numbering in the thousands marched to City Hall in protest. During the march some isolated groups smashed windows, set trash cans ablaze, hurled bottles and rocks through windows and set fire to several police cars. In response to the riots the San Francisco police started one of their own. They targeted The Elephant Walk and began breaking the windows, damaging the property and beating the patrons inside the bar in rebuttal to the downtown riots. While the district mourned the loss of their ‘heart’ they drew on strength from one another to cope with the blow to the community.

The Elephant Walk continued to thrive until December 2, 1988 when a fire nearly destroyed the building. It took four years and a lot of work to complete its’ restoration.

In 1996 the owner of the building reopened the bar as ‘Harvey’s', in memory of the Great Harvey Milk. He was known the community over as a fun-loving person who would have loved the thought of a place where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people could thrive, raise gay consciousness and a sense of our history. More than a decade after its’ opening, Harvey’s has remained a historical monument and pillar to the gay community.”

Castro Theater’s Famous Mighty Wurlitzer Needs Funds & Your Help

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Castro Theatre's organ rising from the pit to entertain the film going troops. Photo: Flickr Olive Witch

Castro Theatre’s organ rising from the pit to entertain the film going troops. Photo: Flickr Olive Witch

The SF Chronicle clued us in that over at Castro Theatre, the City’s last single screen movie house, the Mighty Wurlizter that’s risen from the pit to entertain film goers for generations is in jeopardy and it’s organists has started a fundraising non-profit to help it stay put and expand its scope.

According to organist, David Hegarty, whose been belting out the signature song ‘San Francisco’ atop the bench perched in front of the pedals and keys of the giant music box for the last 30 years, the cultural icon is in deep peril.

He revealed the organ is actually not even owned by the Castro Theatre but a separate individual who’s getting ready to move away from the Bay Area and take the beloved musical instrument with them or find a buyer and sell it outright.

The Mighty Wurlitzer

The Mighty Wurlitzer

On top of that potential tragedy the organ needs a complete overhaul and an expansion to keep up with the demands of a 21st century audience.

That augmentation plan includes adding surround sound speakers, more pipes, and enlarge the keyboard console.

Once completed the face lift will raise the bar on the level of sound the organ produces to a orchestra level instrument attracting greater attention the world over.

The monetary fundraising goal needed to keep our neighborhoods infamous organ in place is a million bucks. Mr. Hegarty has secured the needed 501(c)3 permit and established a non-profit group, SFCODA, to manage and fundraise on the Wurlitzer’s behalf.

That is some fat cash-especially in these slowly recovering economic times-but the City and the neighborhood will hopefully meet the challenge.

It would be a true tragedy to lose the organ from the Castro Theatre where it’s been since it arrived in the early 70′s from Detroit where it’d been constructed to entertain at the old State Theatre prior to being razed.

The Castro Theatre circa 1923-a year after the Art Deco masterpiece opened.

The Castro Theatre circa 1923-a year after the Art Deco masterpiece opened.

Our heritage as a City is constantly under the strain to remodel and discard. We nearly lost the treasured Maxfield Parrish painting, ‘Pied Piper’, this last week from its perch above the Palace Hotel bar where it’s watched over City patrons for the last 103 years as they celebrated victories and drowned their sorrows.

As new owners, developers and emigrants arrive in SF with less interest in its history and preservation we will see more and more of what makes the City the ‘City’ be chipped away by NIMBY attitudes and beliefs.

The battle to save the Castro’s Wurlitzer is worth the money. Click the link. Spread the word. We hope never to arrive at the Castro Theatre, popcorn in hand, ready to enjoy the melodic strains of show tunes and classical ballads only to be told that this was the day the music finally died.