San Francisco is located in the state of California, and is one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse cities in the United States. It is a cultural and financial hub of the West Coast, as well as a popular tourist destination. But there is more to San Francisco than meets the eye. In this article, we will explore some of the surprising facts and stories that make San Francisco a unique and fascinating place.
The Golden Gate Bridge: A Colorful History
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of San Francisco. It spans 1.7 miles across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting San Francisco with Marin County. It is also one of the most photographed structures in the world, thanks to its distinctive orange-red color and elegant design.
But did you know that the bridge was originally meant to be black and gold? That’s right, the bright color we see today was not the original plan. The color came to be as a result of Irving Morrow, the bridge’s consulting architect, noticing the striking reddish-tinged primer coat that was painted on some of the steel1. He decided that the color blended well with the natural surroundings and contrasted with the ocean and sky. He also argued that the color would make the bridge more visible in foggy conditions. He convinced the authorities to keep the color, which he called “International Orange”. The color was so unique that it had to be specially mixed by the paint manufacturer.
The Golden Gate Bridge was also built during the Great Depression, a time of economic hardship and unemployment. However, San Francisco prospered during this period, as none of its banks failed. The city even had the resources to construct the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, which opened in 1936 and 1937 respectively. The bridge projects provided jobs for thousands of workers, who earned $11 per day, a high wage at the time. The bridge also boosted the local economy by increasing trade and tourism.
Alcatraz: The Rock with a Musical Soul
Alcatraz Island, located in the San Francisco Bay, is famous for being a former federal prison that housed some of the most notorious criminals in American history, such as Al Capone, and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. The prison was known for being harsh and isolated, as well as supposedly “escape-proof”. However, there were 14 escape attempts involving 36 inmates, of whom five went missing and were never found.
But Alcatraz was not all doom and gloom. There was also a musical side to the island, as some of the prisoners formed bands and played instruments. The most famous of these was Al Capone, the infamous gangster and businessman, who started the band “Rock Island” and played the banjo. He even wrote a song called “Madonna Mia”, which he dedicated to his wife. Capone was not the only musical inmate, as others played the guitar, harmonica, accordion, and saxophone. Music was a way for the prisoners to express themselves and cope with their harsh conditions.
Alcatraz was also home to the first Native American occupation in modern history, which lasted from 1969 to 1971. A group of Native American activists, mostly students, took over the island and claimed it as Indian land, based on an 1868 treaty that granted unused federal land to Native Americans. They demanded the establishment of a cultural center, a university, and a museum on the island. They also raised awareness of the plight and rights of Native Americans in the country. The occupation ended peacefully after the government cut off the water and electricity supply to the island, and removed the remaining occupiers by force.
Chinatown: The Birthplace of the Fortune Cookie
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America. It is also one of the most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods in the city, with its bustling streets, ornate buildings, exotic shops, and delicious restaurants. Chinatown is a cultural and historical treasure, as it preserves the traditions and heritage of the Chinese immigrants who settled in San Francisco since the 19th century.
One of the most interesting and surprising facts about Chinatown is that it is the birthplace of the fortune cookie, the crispy treat that contains a paper slip with a message or a prediction. Contrary to popular belief, the fortune cookie is not a Chinese invention, but a San Francisco one. It was created by Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant who ran the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. He served the cookies to his guests as a thank-you gesture, and he also wrote the messages himself. He started this practice in the late 1890s, and soon the cookies became popular and spread to other Chinese restaurants in the city and beyond.
If you want to see how fortune cookies are made, you can visit the Ross Alley fortune cookie factory in Chinatown, where you can watch the cookies being baked and folded by hand. You can also buy some fresh cookies to enjoy or share with your friends. You might even get a lucky fortune!
Conclusion
San Francisco is a city of surprises, with many hidden gems and fascinating stories to discover. Whether you are interested in history, culture, art, or nature, you will find something to inspire and delight you in this amazing city. San Francisco is truly a city that never ceases to amaze.