The Lure of San Francisco A Romance Amid Old Landmarks By Elizabeth Gray Potter and Mabel Thayer Gray Illustrated By Audley B. Wells Paul Elder & Company Publishers San Francisco Copyright, 1915, By Paul Elder & Co. San Francisco To Our Mother Preface The average visitor considers California's claim to historic recognition as dating from the discovery of gold. Her children, both by birth and adoption, have a hazy pride in her Spanish origin but are too busy with today's interests to take much thought of it. They know that somewhere over in the Mission is the old adobe church. They rejoice that it escaped the fire but have no time to visit it. They will proudly tell their eastern friends of its existence and that the Presidio received its name from the Spaniards but further narration of the heritage is lost in exclamations over the beauty of the drives and the views, while the historic significance of Portsmouth Square is smothered in the delight over Chinese embroideries, bronzes and cloisonné. May this little book aid in the general awaking of the dormant love of every Californian for his possessions and be a suggestion to the casual visitor that we are entitled to the dignity of age. Contents Preface The Mission and its Romance A view from Twin Peaks--The city with its historic crosses. A visit to the old church--Its past, and the romance of Lüis Argüello. The Presidio, Past and Present The Spanish Fortifications and the love story of Concepcion and Rezánov. The Plaza and its Echoes A Chinese restaurant. Yerba Buena and the reminiscences of a forty-niner. Telegraph Hill of Unique Fame The Latin quarter. The signal station of '49 and a view of the city as it was. The Golden Gate. List of Illustrations The Mission "The modern structures crowd upon the low adobe building." Prayer Book Cross "A granite cross just visible above the trees in Golden Gate Park." At Lotta's Fountain "We watched the people purchasing flowers on the corner." The Officer's Club House at the Presidio "Of a different generation from its neighbors." A Street in Chinatown "We must take a look at the spot where the first house stood." Portsmouth Square "The entire history of San Francisco was made around this Plaza." A Fountain in the Latin Quarter "Stooping to drink from his hand on the edge of a little pool." A Sunset Thro' the Golden Gate "The last rays gilded the cliffs on either side." The Mission A view from Twin Peaks--The city with its historic crosses. A visit to the old church--Its past, and the romance of Lüis Argüello. The Mission and Its Romance "Tickets to the city, Sir?" The conductor's voice sounded above the rumble of the train. As my companion's hand went to his pocket he glanced at me with a quizzical smile.