The San Francisco call., 1910-10-15


dents Of the Holly park district organ
ized themselves into an improvement
club. the first in San Francisco, and,
so far as we know, the first in Cali
fornia- The seal Of the club bears the
inscription Holly Park Improvement
Club. Organized July 1, 1879. San Fran
cisco, CAL
Long prior to the birth of the Mer-
chants association and the other great
commercial and improvement bodies
this Improvement club was in a -four
fishing condition. Social or fraternal
ties do not bind more closely than the
bond Of common interest which ce-
snented the people Of this district into
one club. Their clubroom was their
assembly through which everything
that they secured was obtained.
Many of the pioneer members have
passed away but the remainder still
cling faithfully to the old improve
ment club around which centered so
much activity, around which cluster so
many associations Of the past. With
few exceptions. the older members Of
the club are now no longer able to take
the lead. Their sons, unborn when the
club was first organized, are doing this
in manner that they had never hoped
for.
What the people of this district did
81 years ago. the people Of San Fran
cisco in general only learned to do
after the great catastrophe of 1905. 1t
was not until after the fire of 1906 that
the organization of improvement clubs
became general in San Francisco.
When the Holly Park Improvement
club was first organized many believed
that San Francisco would grow in that
direction. The ruins of old st. Mary's
church in the Mission road stand as
a monument TO the memory Of that
thought. However. this club, in COM
mon with all the improvement clubs in
san Francisco. has experienced a vital
izing influence since the fire and it
is now the center Of a most pronounced
growth.
It would be interesting to relate
what was the condition of San Fran
cisco at the time this club was organ
lied and to trace its development, but
space viii not permit of such discus
sion here.
CONDITION OF DISTRICT
When the Holly Park Improvement
club was organized it was the only
Improvement club in San Francisco.
Consequently its activities We're not
limited by those of any other improve
ment club. However, it generally con-
fined itself to looking after its own
immediate vicinity.
The territory Of the club as now de-
fined extends from Cortland avenue to
the Islais creek and from the Mission
road 10 the east side Of Mission street.
In 1879 this territory was inaccessi-
bic except to teams. There were no
electric cars in those days. Neither ca
Bile cars nor horsecars approached the
district Mission street was then
known as the Mission road or the
county road. It wiggled it's way along
fences which on one side or the other
inclosed vegetable gardens or dairies.
Here and there were scattered a few
houses that were not part of ranch
or farm. There were not more than 80
houses in the entire district. Streets
We're unknown. A few country roads
afforded ample accommodation. Gas,
electricity, city water, fire protection,
police protection were things about
which the club knew nothing.
J. Denahy. now residing at 712 Moul-
trie street, was the first president. H.
Bath (since dead) was vice president,
George Felix was secretary, and H.
Winkler treasurer. Winkler has held
the position Of treasurer OF this i'm
provement club continuously for 81
years.
The territory which in 1879 had a
population OF about 200 persons now
has a population of about 10000
This district. which in 1879 consisted
of vegetable gardens and dairies, now
consists Of rows upon rows Of cottages
compactly built. There are scarcely a
dozen vacant lots to be found in the
district The register of voters shows
a very heavy registration for this dis
trict. There are as many as 400 voters
70 q precinct, which indicates the great
density of population.
IMPROVEMENTS
Practically every improvement Sc
cured is due to the efforts of the i'm
provement club. The laying out of
streets and sidewalks, the Spring VAL
ley water supply, electric lights and
the sewer system are all due TO the ef-
forts of the club.
for the district. 1t also secured the
building OF a well equipped firehouse.
Prior to that time a volunteer fire de-
partment rendered services when nee
essary.
The contract has been let for the in
stallation Of the new sewer system. The
Holly Park primary school, a fine Is
room concrete building. is nearing COM
pletion and will be dedicated the last
Sunday in October. John Denahy will
!. lsF president Of the day. Mayor McCar-
ttfv and others will speak.
"a IfEthe streets are bituminized except
four or, five. Gas and sewer mains have
been laid. There is an average of
nearly one hydrant TO each block There
arc few fire boxes but not sufficient.
The club has been putting pressure on
the Spring Valley company to install
larger mains in order to afford greater
pressure for fire protection. The dis
trict ahas outgrown the present system.
IMPROVEMENTS URGED
The club has petitioned the board of
supervisors and the board of public
works to pave Mission street from
Cortland avenue to Highland with ba-
salt blocks. Wagons slip on the smooth
pavement upon this street. The club