Mish House

Phenes Mish, a Prussian immigrant, arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. He wouldn’t have imagined that his name would grace a beautiful Stick-Eastlake style house in the Haight-Ashbury district. This is the Mish House. It stands as a testament to the Mish family’s remarkable journey. The Mish House wasn’t always here at 1153 Oak Street. It was originally built in 1885 on Divisadero Street. The family, Phenes, his English-born wife Sarah, and their ten children, moved it to its present location in 1889. Divisadero was becoming increasingly commercial. The Mish family sought a quieter residential area. Phenes established a successful dry goods importing business, “Mish and Sons”. He also served as President of Congregation Sherith Israel. Sarah, a true entrepreneur, ran a thriving dressmaking and millinery business. Her millinery, unusually for a woman at that time, was the largest on the West Coast. The Mish House, with its intricate details and unique architectural style, became a symbol of their prosperity. After Phenes’ death in 1895, Sarah continued to live in the house, raising her children. The ballroom even became a dance school in the 1930s. Sarah’s legacy extended beyond business. Her daughter, Lily Schlesinger, became a renowned opera singer and whistler. Lily’s daughter, Irene Anderson, co-founded the Anderson Sisters School of Dancing in San Francisco. The Mish House stands not just as a beautiful building, but as a symbol of a family’s success, creativity, and contribution to San Francisco’s vibrant history. It’s a reminder that even amidst the chaos of a gold rush, families built homes, businesses, and legacies that shaped the city we see today.