My GGGreat Grand Father was Joseph Sparrow. He lived at the corner of Ecker and Clementina from 1870 until 1901. Ran a Grocery. He arrived in SF in 1849 owned a saloon at Fremont and Folsom in 1857. An alley "Sparrow Alley" was named for him. It is near Misson Delores. I have a letter documenting this fact only, I would love to see some evidence from the city of San Francisco. Or even a newspaper article. I understood that the names of streets were often recommendation from the South of Market Boys. My letter is from a member of that group. He strolls down memory lane about SF in the 1870 and 1880, referring to "South of the Slot", Clam Alley, etc. It is written in 1930. It is a wonderful letter. Anonymous tho. Christi "James R. Smith" <jim@historysmith.com> wrote: Well, it goes back to what I always say - Check your references. The PBS program was full of it. STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO: THE ORIGINS OF STREET & PLACE NAMES, Louis K. Loewenstein, was well researched. Loewenstein says, "HARRIET -- Named for the daughter of Immanuel Charles Christian Russ who owned the nearby amusement park Russ Gardens. No hookers! Jim James R. Smith wrote: > I understand and don't disagree with you. As I stated, "I can't vouch > for this but..." I only quoted what I read and while that is not an > unusual supposition, I have found that some of these PBS programs take > major liberties with the facts. Herbert Asbury's Barbary Coast is > loaded with misstatements and yet is the most quoted on the topic. > > I have a couple of books on SF's street names but won't be home until > Friday. I'd be more than pleased to look that up if you wish. > > Best regards, > Jim > > Quenci Scott wrote: > >> Dear Jim: >> >> Sorry but I don't believe your take on those streets that were >> supposed to have been named after prostitutes, >> At the time that area was developed in the 1840's until the 1860's it >> was where the more prominent and influential people had built there >> homes. >> It wasn't until Nob Hill became into play probably in the late >> 1850's that the area around lst to 6th and Bryant sts. and the >> streets named for ladies became a less desirable place to live in >> San. Fran. >> I have it from a good source that the early land owners named those >> streets for members of their family. >> my g-g grandfather Devereaux J. Woodlief was either granted or bought >> his land from John Geary, first Alcalde of San Francisco, in >> December, 1849. >> He then sold the land to a Mr. John Simpson in April 1850. He was on >> his way to the Calaveras County, where he and 10 other men had a gold >> mine. >> He owned the mine with David S. Terry, ex-gov. of Va. William Smith, >> his son J. Caleb Smith among others. >> The Barbary Coast came along after my ancestor was owned the property. >> Thanks for your input. >> Q.Scott >> Danville,Ca. >> > > -- > > James R. Smith > > Author: San Francisco's Lost Landmarks > > ISBN: 1884995446 > > www.HistorySmith.com > > > -- James R. Smith Author: San Francisco's Lost Landmarks ISBN: 1884995446 www.HistorySmith.com ************************** Visit SFGenealogy.com! http://www.sfgenealogy.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CASANFRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message www.christinesherratt.com Christine Sherratt Sherratt & Sherratt Accounting for Lawyers 9738 Tareyton Ave San Ramon, CA 94583 925-216-5121 925-875-1678 FAX