The San Francisco call., 1910-12-17
FINE RESIDENCE
DISTRICTS ARE
MOVING west
Attraction of Straits, Preside
and Park Are Luring FASH
ionabIe Homes There
Good Street Work and Land
cape Effects Enhance City's
Natural Beauties

The most notable movement in resi-
Dental development in San Francisco
is westward toward the parks and
ocean.
The picture of a street in West Clay
park reproduced on this page is pre-
sented as evidence of a very pronounced
development that is taking place in San
Francisco's best residence district. This
development is the most significant and
encouraging movement that has oc-
Cured in this city since Preside
Heights replaced the barren waste OF
sand dunes that extended from the
cemeteries az California street to the
Preside wall and made this the most
beautiful residential section Of our city.
West Clay park demonstrates the ex-
tension OF Preside heights westward.
II IS not an unwarranted growth such
as speculative enterprise mig ght attempt
10 stimulate for profit. Such motives
could never have given the momentum
that the present movement has already
acquired The present extension of the
Preside heights district westward is
normal, logical growth due to the
general fact Of increase in population
and to the more specific social and eco
nomlc conditions existing and actively
operating. A fundamental force under
lying all other factors is the natural
beauty and attractiveness of the loca-
tion.
Lying as it does. on a gentle slope
that extends northward from Lake
street 10 the Preside wall. this area
has the advantage Of a great contigu-
Gus natural park designated as the
Preside military reservation. Immedi-
ately over the Preside wall and flowing
from Twelfth avenue westward along
the north boundary of West Clay park
is beautiful stream such as is usually
found only in remote mountain coun-
Try. This is a wonderful feature TO find
IN a large city.
Beyond the green Preside slopes is
Bakers beach. where surf bathing is
safe. Stretching across TO the noun
tains OF Marin county is the Golden
Gate strait. The shore line Of the Pa
cifc ocean is in view for a distance
OF 45 miles TO Point Reyes.
The view is superb. Unlike the inner
bay view, it is unmarried by smoke and
other indications Of city life. The whole
environment is suburban. This is a
feature that VIII be increasingly ap-
preciated as the city grows
The present utilization Of this dis
trict is due TO the fact that the city has
reached II and demands it as an ex-
tension It is here that the greatest
attraction is offered and least resist
ance TO growth is met with. Grea test
attraction and least resistance are prin-
ciples that determine land values in
all cities.
The proximity Of Presidio heights
is a fact that determines the future Of
this adjoining area This assertion
is warranted by fact. The Preside
heights lands are either improved or
not for sale or held at very high
prices This compels extension.
At present this land is offered at such
prices as TO further induce its devel-
opment. Once a fashionable residence
district is established in q growing
city, the tendency is toward the ac-
CELEBRATED growth Of that district and
consequent increase in land values
there.
Certain features appear to attract
the wealthy in selecting their residence
districts, among these being nearness
10 parks. a good approach from the
business center, not too near nor yet
too far, moderate elevation if OBJ
tainable, favorable transportation fa-
cilities. despite the fact that the
wealthy for the most part ride in their
own carriages and automobiles, and
above all. absence of nuisances
Having selected a district the wealthy
make il their own by erecting hand
some residences, making good street
improvements. restricting against nui-
sances. and finally and of chief import
ance living there themselves. In Sc
curing home in a good residence sec
tion. a man secures safe, healthful and
attractive conditions for his family to
live under. These social considerations
explain the strong pressure in all cities
toward the best residence sections
West Clay park presents all of these
adHanta ges- Its surprising sale and de-
velOpment since IL was first placed on
the market in April Of the present year
is tangible proof Of the correctness of
all arguments advanced in its favor.
Jordan park is another example Of
how tract Of land with a naturally
good situation has been developed into
3 high class district by the proper i'm
provements and restrictions.
When Eben .. Jordan, the Boston
multimillionsire merchant came TO San
Francisco TO visit the midwinter fair in
1884. he was struck with the slightly
situation OF this land. lying as ii did
between the Preside and Golden Gate
park. with a pleasant southerly slope.
He purchased 20 acres with the idea
Of making this one Of the choicest resi-
dental districts OF San Francisco.
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