 |
Before 1900, most of the San
Franciscans in the Richmond
District were the deceased
inhabitants of the municipal
and Chinese cemeteries. It's
taken over a hundred years
for the Outer Richmond to
blossom from a giant vacant
lot into prime (albeit
foggy) real estate. At the
turn of the 20th century, it
was little but sand dunes
and potato fields and was
dubbed "The Outer Lands" and
"The Great Sand Waste" until
streetcars opened it up to
the public. Early in its
history, those eager to sell
homes and property in other
parts of the Richmond tried
to rechristen it "Park
Presidio," but the original
moniker stuck fast, though
the origins of "Richmond"
are uncertain. The most
common explanation is that
an early settler saw in its
stark, gently hilly
landscape echoes of his old
home in Richmond, New South
Wales, Australia. Camera
Obscura
While the Inner Richmond is
a restaurant haven and one
of the city's more difficult
parking areas, the Outer
Richmond retains a
neighborhood feel along its
main shopping streets. The
many waves of immigrants who
have settled have put their
stamp on it; whole blocks
along Geary Boulevard hum
with Russian and Cantonese
speakers, and you can find
Mexican, Russian, French and
Italian restaurants with
ease, not to mention a
plethora of establishments
serving food from every
corner of Asia.
Like the Outer Richmond
itself, Geary calms down
considerably after 25th
Avenue as it meanders off
into the fog and ultimately
ends at the Pacific Ocean.
|
|
|
|
|
|