The San Francisco call., 1910-11-05
SAND DUNES TURNED INTO
FINE RESIDENTIAL, DISTRICT
Great Work Accomplished by Sunset Improvement
Club During Its History ofFifeen Years

The SUNSET District Improvement club
vas organized in 1898. just i years
szo. II has been an active club ever
since. having met uninterruptedly
month after month. and transacted busi-
ness Of Importance TO the district
The good that the club has done can
not be measured nor easily appreciated.
It's work has not been of 3 spectacular
character II has not fought fiercely
for The suppression Of evils. for there
were none 70 suppress It has not
rehsbilftsted = district. for there was
none DESTROYED. But il has fused its
spirit into The people. IT has initiated
or Identified itself with every improve
uenr that tended toward the better
uerr ~ the district.
How well it has succeeded is appar-
enr from the growth and development
~ this section Of the city. When the
club was organized there were not
more than a dozen houses in the vast
district west OF SUanyan street and
south of Golden Gate park. It is safe
10 say that rle population of the dis
rrlct did not exceed 100 persons. The
old steam dummy traversed. what is
now II street from Stanyan TO the
beach.
Those who had occasion to use this
=
ern side Of The railroad track from
within block or TWO OF Stanyan street
clear out 10 the beach was one long
enbankment Of sand There were no
streets. mo sidewalks. no sewers, no
lights and few houses. In this desc
late region few property owners or
gsnized the Sunset District improve
neut club They felt that by uniting
they could develop 2 civic spirit Of
cooperation that would rebound to
the credit Of the district. They be-
iieved that by union they could &C
Couplish moro than could be accom-
rIished otherwise
TO-DAY they have = district Of beau
tiful homes occupied by 10000 people.
possessing convenieuces such as well
paved and well lighted streets. good
schools. fire and police protection and
transportation facilities equal to any
possessed by other parts of the city
With the Sloat boulevard on the
south Golden Gate park on the north,
Sutro forest on the east and the Pa
cifc ocean on the west. the Sunset
district possesses 2 scenic setting un-
surpassed ny any other section Of the
city.
The Golden Gate park is the great
playground Of the Sunset district The
Slost boulevard is its great driveway.
IN keeping with the environment the
property owners have erected mooesI
though beautiful homes and have en-
bellished them for the most part with
lawns and flowers.
IMPROVEMENTS SECURED
The old La aguna Honda school. built
in 1872 and containing but two rooms,
was deemed sufficient for the educa-
rionsl wants Of the district when the
club organized. A continuous cam
psiEn was maintained for additional
accom- RI odsrfons. with the result that
the istrfct now has three large
schools. besides the polytechnic high
school
One great necessity that confronted
the district was that Of securing an
outlet eastward 10 the city for teams.
Through the agitations of the club. II
street was improved from time TO time
until III is now well paved street
extending through = large portion of
the Sunset district IT is the inten-
tion ~ the club that this street shall
be bitUminized clear out TO the beach
and thereby become 2 driveway for
much Of the travel that now goes
through the park. This Improvement.
when carried out. viii doubtless de-
velope 4 as q business street
Tt was at one time proposed to locate