Dogpatch, San Francisco

Dogpatch
—  Neighborhood of San Francisco  —
View of Dogpatch
Dogpatch
Location within Central San Francisco
Coordinates:
Government
 • Board of Supervisors Malia Cohen
 • State Assembly Tom Ammiano (D)
 • State Senate Mark Leno (D)
 • U.S. House Nancy Pelosi (D)
Area[1]
 • Total 0.6 km2 (0.221 sq mi)
 • Land 0.6 km2 (0.221 sq mi)
Population (2008)[1]
 • Total 828
 • Density 1,448.3/km2 (3,751/sq mi)
ZIP Code 94107
Area code(s) 415

Dogpatch is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California.

Contents

Location

Dogpatch is located on the eastern side of the city, adjacent to the waterfront of San Francisco Bay, and to the east of, and below, Potrero Hill. Its boundaries are Mariposa Street to the north, I-280 to the west, Cesar Chavez to the south, and the waterfront to the east. It contains housing, some remaining heavy industry, more recent light industry, and a new but growing arts district. In 2002 it became an officially designated historic district of the city of San Francisco.[2]

History

Because it survived the 1906 earthquake and fire relatively undamaged, and until recently had not been redeveloped, Dogpatch has some of the oldest houses in San Francisco, dating from the 1860s.[2] Between the 1860s and 1880s, the marshes at the edge of the bay were filled, and the area was connected to the main part of the city by means of bridges across what was then Mission Bay (which has since been filled in). Located nearby was the (now-defunct) working-class neighborhood of Irish Hill. This permitted development of industry and housing. Waterfront-oriented industry, including shipbuilding, drydocks and ship outfitting and repairs, warehouses, steel mills, and similar industries flourished until after World War II, when they began to decline.

Dogpatch endured several decades of decline, which lasted until the 1990s, when economic pressures led to modest gentrification of the existing housing stock, and new construction including loft-style condominiums, many of which were designated as "live-work" units for artists, graphic designers, and similar occupations. The conversion of existing industrial space to live-work units or other housing has been controversial.

Attractions and characteristics

The main commercial artery of Dogpatch is Third Street, which contains retail and service businesses and is served by the T-line Third Street light rail line operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway. The Third Street corridor connects Dogpatch to San Francisco's downtown, via new development zones including Mission Bay and the UCSF research campus.

Notable sites in the neighborhood include Irving M. Scott School, the oldest public school building in San Francisco, built 1895; the historic shipyards at Pier 70; a boxing gym, where many local amateurs train; a number of restaurants; the headquarters of the San Francisco Chapter of Hells Angels; and numerous historical residences.

References

External links