Eureka Valley Historic Context Statement

Castro Street near 20th Street looking north, ca. 1901

Eureka Valley Historic Context Statement

44 Caselli Ave, Eureka Valley, Dolores Heights

1,175 square foot 2 bedroom 1 bath petite Shingled Queen Anne Victorian built around 1900. Last sold for $702.5K in 2000. Current estimates value the property at about $1.5 million.

c. 2016-2017 sf_daily_photo

145 Hartford St, Eureka Valley

2,490 square foot elaborately shingled Queen Anne Victorian triplex fixer built around 1900. Last sold for $72K in 1975. Current estimates value the property at about $1.8 million.

A permit search revealed that there was a horizontal addition in 1989.

Entry detail

Shingled and scrolled

Tower detail

© 2016-2017 sf_daily_photo

3800 21st St, Eureka Valley-Dolores Heights

1,530 square foot view Vicwardian built around 1900. In 2002 the roof was raised to accommodate the lookout room (RAISING ROOF TO EXPAND UPPE FLOOR BEDRM/BATH & LOOKOUT RM at a cost 0f $110K.

Property taxes for the 2016-2017 tax year are $724. The city of San Francisco has assessed this property at $61,237. Based on the neighborhood value of $1,294 per square foot, this property is actually worth about $2 million.

View on 21st Street toward Twin Peaks

© 2016-2017 sf_daily_photo

3820 21st St, Eureka Valley

c. 2017

1,450 square foot Vicwardian built in 1905. Currently valued at $1.9 million. There are no records of any recent sales. For the 2016-2017 tax year the city of San Francisco has assessed this property at $105,149. Property taxes are $1,243.49.

The Eureka Valley and Dolores Heights neighborhood is a solid representation of a true San Francisco experience, and proud home of the motivating power behind the gay rights movement.

A picturesque row. The sofa is a classy touch.

A strong influence in the neighborhood is the world-renowned Castro district. It was built on the principles of equal rights after the 1978 assassination of the first openly gay San Francisco Supervisor, Harvey Milk, igniting the community to take a historic turn. Together, the community became activists, forging the way for the now celebratory and thriving LGBTQ population. MORE HERE

© 2016-2017 sf_daily_photo

575 Liberty St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

An unusually flamboyant explosion of architectural detailing even for an Eastlake Victorian. 2,059 square foot single family home built in 1898.

PART OF ROW OF SIMILAR HOUSES, FROM 533 TO 579 LIBERTY Street.

THIS BLOCK OF LIBERTY WAS FORMERLY PART OF DAIRY FARM OWNED BY THE FAMILY OF AUTHOR PETER B. KYNE.

MOVIE "I REMEMBER MAMA" WAS FILMED ON THIS BLOCK. (Here Today, San Francisco's Architectural Heritage)

Eastlake Details
✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎✳︎
✳︎Oversized porch posts, railings, balustrades, bargeboards, braces and pendants shaped by a lathe.

✳︎Wooden forms cut by a jigsaw. Curved brackets, scrolls, and other stylized elements were placed at every corner, turn or projection of the façade.

✳︎Perforated gables and pediments.

✳︎Carved panels.

✳︎Beaded spindles and lattice work along porch eaves.

✳︎Strapwork (interlaced strips of wood).

✳︎Mansardic porches with wrought-iron cresting.

c. 1976

546 Liberty St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

c. 2017

1,070 square foot Italianate Victorian Cottage built in 1897. Last sold for $61K in 1976. Current estimates value the property at about $1.5 million.

False gable end

FALSE GABLE END CONTAINS A SUNBURST AND A BARGEBOARD OF CIRCLE MEDALLIONS SUPPORTED BY A CENTRAL CONSOLE. From Here Today, San Francisco's Architectural Heritage (1968)

On one hand, I wonder about the psychopathology of painting a house a color that demands attention. Is this house not saying LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!!

On the other hand, aren't Victorians, even little ones, showoffs by nature? It's in their DNA.

c. 1976

3546 21st St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

Entry detail

2,425 square foot Queen Anne Victorian built around 1900. Last sold for $285K in 1987. Currently worth about $3.2 million.

Of note are the decorative frieze in blue and white as well as the gabled entry that mimics the gable end up above.

What to make of the the circle dot motif found on the gable ends. Just a pretty detail with meaning or....

In the complex symbolic system of Hinduism and Buddhism, the bindu (dot) represents the male force. Together, the circle and the bindu symbolize the merging of male and female forces. This symbol also represents the sun, which was worshipped as a personified, life-giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other major civilizations of history.

Or try on one of these meanings for the Point within a Circle:

Dot in a circle motif

- Among the Egyptians, it designated the Sun as creator god (Aton, Ra, etc);
- Ancient chinese pictogram meaning “Sun” or “day” (nowadays written as 日);
- Symbol of the “Eye of God” among primitive christians, and Huichol indians;
- Symbolizes Spirit among Chippewa indians;
- Alchemical symbol for Gold, sacred metal of the Sun;
- Qabalistic symbol of Archangel Michael, of a solar nature;
- Astrological symbol of the Sun (still used);
- Old chemical representation of an atom of Hydrogen;
- In Esoteric Astrology it represents the 1st of Seven Rays, the one corresponding to Will–Power;
- The Monad or Unity (God) in pythagorean mysticism;
- Qabalistic symbol of Kether, the “Crown” of the Tree of Life;

Bay window detail

Gable end detail

3826 22nd St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

View of roof c. 2011

3,239 square foot Mission-inspired fish scaled Victorian built around 1900. A permit search revealed a $20K bathroom remodel in 1995, that's it. Last sold for $53K in 1975. This property generates property taxes in the amount of $906.57 per year.

That is not a false front. Although as I look at the side view, I wonder if it was originally a false front Victorian and the gabled roof was a long ago renovation. That would explain why there are no recent permits on file. Has my mind rum amok?

31 Fair Oaks St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

2,150 square foot 4 bedroom 3 bath shingled Queen Anne Victorian built in 1888 featuring a large corner tower, an array of fishscale and shiplap shingles, and a gabled portico with lattice-filled spandrels.

Current estimates value the property at about $2.3 million. Last sold for $680K in 1996.

32 Caselli Ave, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

Approximately 1,830 square foot (horizontal addition in 1989) 4 bedroom 3 bath Queen Anne Victorian built in 1908. Last sold for $1.6 million in 2010. Current estimates value the property at $2.4 million.

Interior Photos HERE

76 Caselli Ave, Eureka Valley

2,800 square foot 3 bedroom 3.5 bath Queen Anne Victorian built around 1900. Last sold for $1.9 million in 2008. Current estimates value the property at about $3.5 million.

730 Dolores St, Eureka Valley - Dolores Heights

Originally 3,730 square foot 5 bedroom 3 bath Edwardian residence built in 1907. Last sold for $1.845 million in 2003. Renovated and enlarged in 2003. Post renovation stats: 3 bedrooms and 5 baths in 7,000 square feet. Current estimates value the property at about $7.3 million.

Architect's description of the renovations: This 7,000 square foot renovation and addition maintains the graciousness and carefully-proportioned spaces of the historic 1907 home. The new construction includes a kitchen and family living area, a master bedroom suite, and a fourth floor dormer expansion. The subtle palette of materials, extensive built-in cabinetry, and careful integration of modern detailing and design, together create a fresh interpretation of the original design. (Schwatrz and Architecture)

Interior Photos HERE (Click Dolores St residence on left)

730 Dolores St circa 1976

730 Dolores St, 2003