San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-09
H.B. ALLEN, OF SAN FRANCISCO

California may still be hailed "the
land of opportunity" despite the fact
that the days Of gold and 40 are long
since departed. Surely nowhere is
there a wider field for effort and in
genuity and achievement than that
much-sung Hesperian state.
The possibilities of California, for
instance, have barely been touched.
Acres and acres of orange and lemon
and grapefr lit orchards, to be sure,
but acres more as yet undevcloped.
And as for real estate-the rapidity
with which houses spring up and dis
tricts grow out that way is astound-
ing.
This is the chronicle Of one man
who observed this Californian charac-
tcristic, and made vi. his mind to get
his own paddle in the water.
The story Of II. Is. Allen. of San
Francisco, in some respects outclasses
the title of this series; and yet in
another sense conforms. While Mr.
Aliens enterprise has expanded be-
yond the confines of little business,
il is still local one.
In 1907, when he was II, he began
working for a real estate firm in the
Golden Gate City, and in three years
saved enough to buy q small home.
Then, at 20, he saw good opportunity
to get into the real estate business
for himself. Since his little savings
had gone into house, he borrowed
$3.50. and with this capital founded
the firm of Allen & Company, in San
Francisco, with one salesman. In that
city were some lots which according
to common repute at the time could
by no possibility be sold.
Now close friend of Mr.. Allen
says that the latter is a man who
takes genuine pleasure in quietly and
unostentatiously doing things which
are labeled impossible; and doing
them so well he makes a profit on
them. This vas what he did with these
particular unsaleable lots. Quite
speedily he brought about their sale
and thus achieved his IRIS success.
Right here is may be said that all,
or nearly all, of these lots are very
valuable.
Since space is Unite, let us jump
intervening years. Mr.. Aliens firm
is now said to be the largest real es-
tate brokerage and construction con-
Germ in San Francisco, having 20 sales
men, a large architectural department
directed by vell-known architect
whose work has been commended by
some of the ablest men of that pro-
fession IN the country; a construc-
ton department which continuously
employs a hundred skilled mechanics
and also departments which are es-
pecially devoted TO loans. insurance.
leasing. country lands, location of in
dustrial establishments, and property
management.
The architectural and construction
departments within the last four years
have built nearly three hundred homes
in one subdivision alone. These houses
sell. / am told. at prices ranging from
$4,000 to 100000. And then Mr..
Aliens company has built numerous
bungalows. flats and apartments
throughout the tity.
His explanation OF this extraordi-
nary success in the real estate bust
ness IS that he has kept The idea of
intelligent and honest service con-
stantiy before himself and his EN-.
ployes.
His friends say he is always cheer
full. ever optimistic. and has r great
deal of quiet force, but no bombast or
buster.
Recently Mr.. Allen was elected
president of the San Francisco Real
Estate Board. He is also secretary
of the Industrial Association of San
Francisco.