Russian Hill--Macondray Lane District
historic place
The Russian Hill--Macondray Lane District in San Francisco, California, is a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 1988. Macondray Lane is a narrow, pedestrian-only right-of-way on the southeastern side of Russian Hill. It descends about sixty feet from Jones Street to Taylor Street, offering views of San Francisco Bay. Its path features a mix of bricks, asphalt, concrete, and cobblestones. The district's oldest surviving house dates to 1878. Many original buildings were destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, but were largely rebuilt within three years. The lane was renamed Macondray around 1912, honoring merchant Frederick W. Macondray. Historically, this area attracted Italian-Americans, artists, and Bohemians. Notable residents included landscape painter Giuseppe Cadenasso and writer Charles Caldwell Dobie. The district is also known as the inspiration for "Barbary Lane" in Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City" series. This district preserves a unique part of San Francisco's residential and cultural history.