San francisco s first, plush, neighborhood theater is constructed. In december 1961, in the hotels famous venetian room, bennett first sang i left my heart in san francisco. Fillmore history from bill grahams first san francisco event in 1965 til today, the fillmore s legendary story just keeps getting better. This book is absolutely entretainment, stories of the principal groups from san francisco intermingle to create the narrative along the history of the fillmores. The san francisco fillmore jazz era, by elizabeth pepin and lewis watts san francisco, ca. In 1952, local entrepreneur charles sullivan began to book some of the biggest. Many settled into homes in the western addition recently vacated by san franciscans of japanese descent who had been forced. Premieres on pbs june 11, 2001 at 10pm check local listings if you know anything about san francisco s. African american historical and cultural society, san francisco, ca. It took on the name the fillmore auditorium in 1954. The san francisco fillmore jazz era which combines 220 restored images and stories from musicians and residents has become a significant archive of the era in its heyday. But even as san francisco was discovering, for the first time, its black voice, the fillmore was being labeled a slum, and much of the neighborhoods 64 blocks was targeted for urban renewal. San francisco, african american outmigration task force, urban.
When you see the tony bennett statue outside of the fairmont hotel on nob hill, you will gain a better understanding of how san francisco has embraced its jazz history. Browser books pacific heights san francisco, ca yelp. A place where jazz has been the pulse of the streets for decades. If one neighborhood in san francisco defines cool, its the fillmore. In 1952, local entrepreneur charles sullivan began to book some of the biggest names in black music into the fillmore. The case of urban renewal in san francisco s fillmore district, by clement lai annals of the. Another day on fillmore street, during its peak as an africanamerican neighborhood, c. Fillmore street is one of san franciscos great treasures. Aside from its mythical status, the fillmore in san francisco is, quite simply, one of the best sounding rooms in the world. Hailing primarily from louisiana and texas, the newcomers had been recruited to work in bay area shipyards. Marcus books, nations oldest blackcentric bookstore, lands new.
When you step onto the stage of the fillmore, the energy is undeniable. Available exclusively at browser books on fillmore, or order online. Begin your trip back in time of san franciscos music history at the fillmore. Marcus books history dates to 1960, with the fillmore location opening in 1981. An aerial view of the fillmore center site of the western addition redevelopment project in the early 1970s. Thirteen days live at fillmore, san francisco november 25, 2002. Barker, edward jump illustratorthis book brings alive, the exploits of two of san franciscos favorite dogs, bummer and lazarus as told through old newspaper. The fillmore represented the pinnacle of creative music making in the late. This building originally opened in 1912 as the majestic hall. Premieres on pbs june 11, 2001 at 10pm check local listings if you know anything about san franciscos. And, if you find a floor plan you like, you can even lease it online right from this website.
That brought to a close one of the most seminal periods in the fillmore s long and colorful history. Many settled into homes in the western addition recently vacated by san franciscans of japanese descent who had. During the 1950s and 1960s, san francisco gained a reputation as the. The fillmore district is a historical neighborhood in san francisco located to the southwest of nob hill, west of market street and north of the mission district. The san francisco fillmore jazz era which combines 220 restored images and stories from musicians and residents has. The case of urban renewal in san franciscos fillmore district, by clement lai annals of the. The audience for the music had mushroomed, and the shows moved to the carousel ballroom at market and van ness in san francisco later renamed the fillmore west and winterland. It is in western addition, on the edge of the fillmore district and upper fillmore neighborhood.
If you would like to take a quiet walk, you can begin at chestnut street, going up fillmore street and finishing by walking along union street. Hotels near the fillmore san francisco the kimpton. Find your perfect floor plan fit at the fillmore center. This is one of the best books ive ever seen about san francisco, particularly the long neglected history of africanamerican san francisco and a city that is, as we. The fillmore center apartments for rent in san francisco, ca. Fillmore history from bill grahams first san francisco event in 1965 til today, the fillmores legendary story just keeps getting better. A place where greats like billie holliday and duke ellington once captivated audiences in the dozens of clubs that lined fillmore street. Neighborhood history research guides university of san francisco.
The citys black population saw its greatest increase, however, during world war ii. Its only 7by7 miles, making it americas tiny urban treasure. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display. Founding editor and publisher david ish published volume 1, number 1, of the new fillmore the premiere issue in may 1986. African americans have been a part of san francisco since before the gold rush. Lees liquor store at 165658 fillmore street, between geary and post, in early 1960s before redevelopment bulldozed this block. My main purpose in buying it was to have a history of the fillmore in one volume and from that perspective i am not. This is a book of historic photographs from a bygone era in the history of jazz. The book has sumptuous photographs of clubs like leola kings blue mirror and the long bar. The fillmore district began to rise to prominence after the 1906 san francisco earthquake. Two years after it lost its space at 1712 fillmore st.
It was called the harlem of the westthen urban renewal came to save it. Magazine and journal articles the house that bop built, by carol p. Photo from san francisco redevelopment records, san. The san francisco fillmore jazz era by elizabeth pepin silva and lewis watts and published by heyday press is now available. Marcus books, the nations oldest black bookstore foundsf. Marcus books at 1712 fillmore street before its 2014 eviction. As a venue, the fillmore was the focal point for the psychedelic music scene during the 1960s and 70s, helping to launch the careers of acts such as the grateful dead, jimi hendrix, led zeppelin, santana, the doors, hot tuna and many, many others which helped it grow into the. The good news is that willie brown, san franciscos first black mayor 19952003, called in a lot of chips to help revive a fillmore entertainment district. Chamberland california history, volume 75, issue 3, african americans in california, fall 1996, pages 272283. The fillmore is a historic music venue in san francisco, located on the edge of the fillmore district. It has been given various nicknames such as the moe or the fill. A wonderful source for learning about the nightlife in the fillmore during the 1950s and 60s is the book harlem of the west the san francisco fillmore jazz era by elizabeth pepin silva and lewis watts, which has just entered its fourth edition.
I shopped at browser books and listened to funky jazz in the boom. The fillmore summary companion website to the pbs documentary film produced by kqed of the same name which discusses the history of fillmore, a black community in san francisco as it faced the urban renewal. According to a post on sf bay view, the store will be opening a new. Library the former site of the synagogue for temple beth israel, an early jewish congregation in san francisco, founded around 1860, which began constructing its fifth building at 1839 geary in 1905, although its completion was. The fillmore san francisco 2020 all you need to know.
Grab an apple and enter the fillmore, san franciscos. San francisco history center, san francisco public library. The fillmore is a historic music venue in san francisco, california. Within a few years, eight movie theaters line the streets of the western addition. Lees liquor store at 165658 fillmore street, between geary and post, in early 1960s before redevelopment bulldozed this. Fillmore revisited how redevelopment tore through the. Provides links to further information and resources on fillmore, including lesson plans, community forum, photos and music. Big glass halffull lgbt life in the fillmore of the. Neighborhood history western addition research guides.
In between the two, it was a dance hall and a skating rink. The fillmore in san francisco has a long and interesting history. This open access book chapter is brought to you by the cupola. Sparked by reopening of the fillmore theater, rasselas jazz club, shebas piano lounge, 0 fillmore and yoshis, a partial revival has occurred. The fillmore was a dance hall operating under various names and managements the get acquainted society, ambassador dance hall through the 1930s, and a roller rink through the 1940s. The new fillmore reports on the events and people in one of san franciscos most vibrant neighborhoods where the fillmore meets pacific heights and japantown. Fillmore district history soul of america san francisco. Corner of divisadero and hayes, 1978, iconic mural in background. Nov 05, 2012 african americans have been a part of san francisco since before the gold rush. The fillmore san francisco live nation special events.
Lewis watts is a photographer and professor of art at the university of california, santa cruz, with a longstanding interest in africanamerican history in the san francisco bay area. Although its seen many changes since its creation, its always been known as an influential music and entertainment district. Fillmore street a traditional san francisco neighbourhood. This entertainment district, also seen as the heart and soul of the city, first began more than 100 years ago. It tells the story of an everchanging small town in the big city with a rich history and a strong sense of community. The fillmore represented the pinnacle of creative music making in the late 1960s.
Much of the fillmores history was lost due to urban renewal in the 60s, but elizabeth pepin silva and lewis watts book harlem of the west. If you have a store and would like us to come talk and sign books. Between 1970 and 1980 the black population of san francisco dropped by 10%, from 96,000 to 86,000 1980 census. In an august 16, 2006 interview, elizabeth pepin, who along with coauthor lewis watts wrote harlem of the west, talks with jerry jazz musician contributing writer adrienne wartts about the fillmores history as the san francisco bay areas jazz and cultural center. As a result of not being affected by the earthquake itself nor the. The house at 1712 fillmore is san franciscos version of.
The song quickly became one of the citys official anthems. This lavish oversized limited edition book brings together a collection of favorite photographs and stories from the pages of the new fillmore. That brought to a close one of the most seminal periods in the fillmores long and colorful history. In the late 1970s, this area, called nopa in the 2000s, was almost entirely africanamerican. Its the main shopping and dining district in one of the citys finest neighborhoods. Stocked with breathtaking vistas, sultry fog, and a boomandbust history, it has. Bounded on the east by the ethnic vitality of japantown, on the south by the nightlife of the fillmore jazz district, and on the north by pacific heights, with its grand mansions and views of the. With more than 1,000 studios, 1 and 2bedroom flats and get this. Although fillmore street is several kilometres long, the area that is most commonly frequented by san francisco locals is the area that goes from union square towards the bay. Dec 15, 2005 elizabeth pepin is a photographer, public television producer, and former manager at the historic fillmore auditorium. Elizabeth pepin is a photographer, public television producer, and former manager at the historic fillmore auditorium.
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