Did you know San Francisco once had its own White House? I mean The Golden White House department store. It was more than just a store. It was a San Francisco institution. Let’s step back in time to when the Golden White House reigned supreme.
The Golden White House’s story begins in 1854. It started as Davidson & Lane. Later it became J.W. Davidson & Company. In 1870 it moved to a grand new building. That is when it adopted the name “The Golden White House”.
Raphael Weill a French Jew shaped The Golden White House. He arrived in San Francisco in 1855. By 1885 he was the senior partner. Weill was a true philanthropist. He cared deeply about his employees and the city.
Imagine the Golden White House in its prime. It was renowned for its progressive employee policies. Employees enjoyed reasonable hours. They had paid vacations and sick time. This was revolutionary for the time.
The Golden White House stood at Kearny and Post. Then disaster struck. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed the store. But like a phoenix it rose again. The Golden White House reopened at 256 Grant Avenue. The new building was designed by Albert Pissis. It was clad in white terra cotta.
The Golden White House was more than a store. It was a destination. The Daily Alta California described it as magnificent. Ladies went crazy for its gorgeous displays. The Golden White House offered imported goods from France. It had an ambiance of Parisian elegance.
Sadly The Golden White House closed its doors on January 1 1965. By then it occupied four buildings. For years the main building remained vacant. It eventually reopened as a parking garage with shops. Today a Banana Republic occupies the ground floor.
Consider Raphael Weill’s legacy. He was a chevalier of the French Légion d’honneur. He aided people uprooted by the earthquake. During World War I he supported his drafted employees. The Golden White House was a reflection of his values.
So next time you are near Grant Avenue remember The Golden White House. Remember Raphael Weill. Remember a time when a department store was a point of pride. The Golden White House may be gone but its story lives on. It reminds us of San Francisco’s golden age.