We have all watched the tags and commentary appear to be buffed and reappear on Spencer Cunningham‘s mural at Galeria de la Raza. I dropped by the Galeria on Saturday to find the latest, which is pictured above.
The comment begs the question, what color is the Mission? So, I thought I would go back in history for some perspective. Here is what I found in this wonderful city document, titled “City Within a City: Historic Context Statement For San Francisco’s Mission District.”
- Yelanu – two villages on mission creek to late 18th century.
- Franciscan Friars and The Mission de Asis 1776-1834.
- Spanish / Mexican Ranchos to 1834-1848.
- Pioneer Settlement mostly European working class 1848-1864 Irish, Italian, German, Scandinavian and a few Chinese – Wild times, Bear and Bull fighting, drinking establishments etc.
- Gilded Age: Wealthy Northern European 1864-1906. Transition from “unskilled” population to “skilled.”
- Disaster and Reconstruction 1906-1915 – Working class activism.
- Modern City Building – 1915-1943 Automobiles create mobility – Depression era.
- Repopulation and Renewal 1943-1972. Europeans move to suburbs. Diverse group of Mexican, Central and South Americans.
- Metropolitan Crossroads: 1972 – Present multi-culturalism and dramatic diversity of lifestyle.
Please follow the “City Within a City” .pdf link, it is absolutely fascinating.
I submit to the tagger that keeping the Mission anything has no historical precedent.
Why did the Yelanu, Franciscans, Germans (etc.), Hispanics and now the current blend come to the Mission? The answer is simple: It’s the only place in the city where you can grow tomatoes.
George Lipp is a community contributor.