Mission District, San Francisco
Explore the maps, photographs, and stories behind 15–21 Hill Street.
July 17, 1974 · Assessor photograph
The future lot lay on the lower slope west of today’s Valencia Street, south of Mission Dolores and inland from the tidal marsh. The Old San Jose Road followed the valley floor nearby.
Landscape and records Original 1857 Coast Survey Engraved 1857 chart 1861 map of Hill Street
Part of the Irving Institute stood on the future four-flat lot. Edward and Frances Church ran the school and lived on campus. A trade journal listed Gouldin as owner on two building jobs at and near the corner in 1885. By 1900, the Sanborn map recorded boarding rooms in the long building along Hill.
School history The Churches Other campus residents 1885 construction notices Gouldin’s 1891 will Boarding rooms
After the earthquake and fire, people set up makeshift kitchens in the roadway between Valencia and Guerrero. The building that stands at 15–21 Hill today was completed in 1923.
Electrician James F. Landini hired carpenter Emil V. Wiander to construct the building. The contract was published in November 1922. Landini accepted the work as completed on April 10, 1923. He and Zetta were listed at No. 21 the following year.
Hibernia Bank wanted a nine-space parking lot and a drive-through exit onto Hill Street. All four flats housed tenants. Larry Farage presented a petition with 92 signatures, and about 50 people at the hearing raised their hands in opposition. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the application.
The city recorded Parcel Map 5285, which divided the historic lot into condo lots 106 through 109 for Nos. 15 through 21.
