“Did you know that Laurel Heights was once part of San Francisco’s ‘silent city’?” I ask. This area was home to many cemeteries. Laurel Hill Cemetery was the most famous.
Welcome to Laurel Heights. It is a neighborhood with a unique past. Today, it feels different from other San Francisco neighborhoods. Some say it has a conservative elegance. It lacks the cultural clash that makes other areas vibrant.
Once, cemeteries dominated this area. Laurel Hill Cemetery suffered damage during the 1906 earthquake. Shattered tombstones lay scattered about. By the 1930s, the cemeteries were run down. Locals thought they discouraged development. They also thought they encouraged juvenile delinquency.
In 1937, San Francisco decided to move the cemeteries. Proposition 43 allowed the city to relocate the remains. Most bodies went to Colma. Colma is now known as the “City of the Dead”. Its motto is: “It’s Great to Be Alive in Colma.” Some remains went elsewhere. Some Chinese remains went back to China.
Because of this history, Laurel Heights developed later than other areas. It has a 1950s modernist style. This contrasts with San Francisco’s Victorian architecture.
My department is located here at Laurel Heights. The building I work in used to be the Firemen’s Fund Insurance Company headquarters. It is huge and black. You can see it from Nob Hill.
The neighbors did not want the university here. Some feared we would torture monkeys. Others thought we would release smallpox. Therefore, all the windows are sealed shut.
But I like working in Laurel Heights. It’s quiet. It is less foggy than the Sunset District.
As you walk around Laurel Heights, notice the mix of old and new. Victorian homes stand near modern apartments. This contrast tells the story of Laurel Heights. The neighborhood transformed from a silent city of cemeteries to a modern residential area. Today, shops line Sacramento Street. You can find everything from Italian cuisine to antiques. Laurel Village offers more shopping options.
Laurel Heights offers a glimpse into San Francisco’s ever-changing landscape. It reminds us that even the quietest places have a vibrant history. As you explore, remember the stories beneath your feet. The past is always present, shaping the neighborhood we see today.