The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-07
BUILT OVER THE BAY.
Little City Within n City That Rests
ON Piles.


a Little City Within n City That Rests
ON Piles.
| The people of San Francisco do not
really know just how many interesting
and unusual things there are around
about them. Or is it that there are SO
many strange and curious things on
every hand that one grows callous and
passes them by without notice?
Down on the Mission mud flats, Just
off the mouth of the channel, there is
a little city on the water that in almost
any other part of the world would be
a sight to show all visitors. Thousands
of people pass it daily and never give it
notice. Some patriotic citizens may ex-
plain this by saying that there are SO
many interesting things here that the
one in question is of no Importance,
which may be all very true. But there
is no denying the fact that it is worthy
of great deal more attention than il
has received in the past.
The commencement of this city's
building dates back about ten years.
1t was at the time the pier was built
out toward Mission rock. This nat
urally made work for great many
people in the immediate vicinity, and
the pier became central point for do
ing business.
AS the business of Mission Rock grew
so grew the pier, and soon a number
of boat builders were located there. AT
first they had only their workshops
there, but soon moved their household
effects also. IIou~es were built on the
pier, and the main passageway became
like street.
Later on time care when there was
no longer room on the pier for the
houses. Such trife did not interfere
with the prospective builders, however.
1t was a little more work, but they
drove piles in the mud as near the pier
as was necessary for their purpose and
let some of the houses hang over. This
has been going on for long time, and
at present the city covers many acres.
1t is certainly one of the most pictur-
esque places in the state. The build
ings are constructed on easy lines and
in such positions as best suited the
builders. The result is conglomera-
ton of sky lines, broken here and there
with fagpoies and chimneys. Many Of
the buildings are in the form of a bal
cony and hang over the water in the
most threatening manner. But they
are most likely safe enough, and nc
body has ever heard of anybody losing
sleep through fear of taking plunge
into the waters of the bay,
In this little city on the water there
are about $50 people living. Most OF
them are engaged in some sort of mari
time business, such as fishing or boat
building, and the others are there to
supply their wants. There are no large
dry goods stores in this town, and one
will search in vain for church. But
first-class saloon has been prosperous
for many years. One man keeps a sort
of general store and his wife takes in
boarders. At least she did for long
time.
They are happy lot of people, these
San Francisco Venetians. None of them
work themselves to death and they have
plenty to eat and drink. They also
have time to entertain the few visitors
they may have. In other respects the
town is like any other. Babies are born
there and old people die occasionally,
just the same as in any other part Of
the world.
When seen from any direction this
curious town presents a picturesque
and artistic appearance. The piles on
which it is built are not in the best Of |
repair and are covered with barnacles |
that give them rich gray-green color.
San Francisco Call.