The San Francisco call., 1910-01-22
NORTHERN SECTION
PROSPEROUS CENTER
Big Population Thrives Where
Wheels of Industry Never
Cease Grinding

North beach There are immense in
terests centered in the region In the
opinion of some. North beach section
is the most densely populated part of
the city at this time Several bust
ness streets, lined with stores. are sup
plying the population in the immedi-
ate neighborhood and those who come
from a distance of many blocks away.
An extensive array of manufactur-
ing plants turns out wealth and gives
steady employment TO many artisans.
which circumstance helps TO make the
district popular
While there is no Definite limit 10
be placed on the territory that prop
erlv may be called North beach. the
section is supposed TO begin some
where north of California street, to
run over 10 the bay; 10 include the
crest Of Russian hill and the eastern
slope. at least. of that height: also to
embrace Telegraph hill and TO extend
10 the bay on the east.
EXTENSIVE WATER FRONT
At the outset il is evident that two
frontsges on the hay. with seawali
constructed and with jutting pier and
wharf. result in large advautagc This
water frontage will be improved great
~ both by the public and by private
individuals The Southern Pacific has
large land holdings near Van Ness
avenue. The United States government
has a large frontage. where a trans
expenditure Of millions Of dollars, in
cluding docks and other shipping and
r-srehousing facilities, is now in con-
struction.
Directly across the bay on the north
shore is the terminus of the North
western Pacific railway at Sausalito.
Within striking distance by ferry of
North beach is the Hotaling line. The
Belt railway line. beginning some dis
tance north Of the Ferry building, in
East street. encircles the entire North
beach district and reaches around TO
Black point. Plans have been formed
for tunneling under the fort at Black
point so that the belt line may be ex-
tended 10 the transport dock
STOCKTON STREET TUNNEL
- EAtdAEl LAAA4itllLE SNllElilC - ina 1
which involves the construction Of a
roadway under the heights of Stockton
street for number Of blocks. Whether
this project will be accomplished is a
matter for conjecture at present, but
there are strong arguments in favor Of
st. A level Stockton street, so il is ar
Eued. would DO much TO promote the
interests of the North Beach section.
The ground available for manufac-
turing sites at North Beach is not en-
tirely occupied by any means Many in
dustrial enterprises have selected
ground and erected large buildings,
which are in use daily to turn out man
ufactured products of various kinds.
Their number may be increased almost
indefinitely. Practically all the manu-
featuring area in that part Of the city
has come into existence since April.
1906 At least one establishment at
North beach requires and uses the en-
tire frontage Of a block for its plant.
North beach is a great depot for bui d.
ing materials. 1t has an iron plant,
which has discontinued operations, but
which could be available at any time if
il were needed.
FERRY TRAFFIC CONGESTION
The congestion in the ferry line.
which is sure to take place as ferry
boats are multiplied on the run be-
tween berkeley. AJakldnQ- AldIHeQa and
san Francisco, Will make il necessar ry
finally 10 have another ferry entrance
10 the city. This view of the case un-
doubtedlv actuated the Southern Pa
cific when il secured a passenger ter
minal at North beach, the utility Of
which may be determined either by its
own use Of the land or by handling ii
as an obstacle to prevent any competing
road from reaching San Francisco to
the north
AS enthusiastic dwelIers of the North
beach section say. it is undoubtedly
true that North beach was the soonest
rebuilt after the fire. This is due
largely TO the character OF the populs-
tion. which is proverbisl for it's thrift
This Characteristic enabled the owners
OF lots to borrow ample money for i'm
provements from the banks almost be
fore the ashes of the city had cooled
The credit of the North beach people
was good and the result is shown By
buildings of much better construction
than those that formerly occupied the
same ground Residence streets and
the streets that are lined by stores
alike have been almost completely i'm
proved as far as the line Of Broadway V
MERCHANTS ARE PROSPEROUS
South Of Broadway and over in the
hiu section. while there is at present
ings. there stu remain many gaps and
vacant lots. 1t is told as an interest
ing circumstance by the North beach
merchants that, Notwithstanding the
loss OF trade that formerly came from
the part of the district that is still only
partly rebuilt, the business of the en-
tire North beach region, as gagged by
cash receipts. is nearly as good as be-
fore the Ere; indeed. some store keep
ers declare that it is fully as good.
North beach contains two hills OF
height and the northern and eastern
slopes Of another hill. together with q
collection Of elevated streets, all Of
which command marine views.
Every part of il is reached by street
cars. The slopes insure perfect drain
sge. Both the streets and the water
front are in part of the city which
was early selected for habitation and
for business use by the Americans when
they came here as gold seekers. The
advantages that were found then in the
North beach section remain, with many
others added. Among these is the
states belt railway, which, with spur
tracks and ferry system. controlled
by the state, satisfacto orily feeds many
establishments and provides shipping
facility for their outputs. Here is 2
netural warehousing section. and the
geographical center of the city's water
he ~vha rveS lie croaf go N,