Market Street Between 9th and 10th and a Cursed Highrise: Difference between revisions
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The [[Fox Theater |Fox Theater]] was America's greatest all-time movie palace. Occupying the entire block bounded by Market, Hayes, and Polk Streets, it harbored 4,561 seats surrounded by the ultimate in classic movie-house opulence. It's gigantic neon sign spelled out F-O-X in letters big enough to be read from the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street. | The [[Fox Theater |Fox Theater]] was America's greatest all-time movie palace. Occupying the entire block bounded by Market, Hayes, and Polk Streets, it harbored 4,561 seats surrounded by the ultimate in classic movie-house opulence. It's gigantic neon sign spelled out F-O-X in letters big enough to be read from the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street. | ||
But in 1963, real estate philistines bought the property, tore down the most magnificent building in San Francisco, and erected a high-rise eyesore in its place. | |||
Plenty of San Franciscans cursed the idiocy of those responsible. But one San Franciscan went further. On the night of the Fox Theater's final show, as the dying Wurlitzer cords echoed through the cavernous theater, future Satanist leader Anton LaVey, then the Fox organist, thundered out a formal imprecation against the owners and the property. Since then, the building is said to have experienced problem after problem, and is believed by many to be cursed. | |||
''--Dr. Weirde'' | |||
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''Photo: Eihway Su'' | ''Photo: Eihway Su'' | ||
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Revision as of 22:17, 5 April 2023
Unfinished History
The Fox Plaza building on Market Street between 9th and 10th, mid-1990s.
Fox Plaza, 1390 Market Street.
The Fox Theater was America's greatest all-time movie palace. Occupying the entire block bounded by Market, Hayes, and Polk Streets, it harbored 4,561 seats surrounded by the ultimate in classic movie-house opulence. It's gigantic neon sign spelled out F-O-X in letters big enough to be read from the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street.
But in 1963, real estate philistines bought the property, tore down the most magnificent building in San Francisco, and erected a high-rise eyesore in its place.
Plenty of San Franciscans cursed the idiocy of those responsible. But one San Franciscan went further. On the night of the Fox Theater's final show, as the dying Wurlitzer cords echoed through the cavernous theater, future Satanist leader Anton LaVey, then the Fox organist, thundered out a formal imprecation against the owners and the property. Since then, the building is said to have experienced problem after problem, and is believed by many to be cursed.
--Dr. Weirde
Photos: San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library
Market and 9th Street northerly view, March 28, 1930.
Photo: SFDPW, courtesy C.R. collection
Market and 9th Street northerly view, March 30, 2023.
Photo: Eihway Su
South across Market to 10th Street from Polk Street, July 2, 1937.
Photo: SFDPW, courtesy C.R. collection
South across Market to 10th Street from Polk Street, 2023.
Photo: Eihway Su
Market and 10th c 1890. This was the entrance to the Panorama Building at 1331 Market Street, built in 1887. It led to a huge circular drum in the rear of the lot where 360 degree paintings of dramatic historical events were on view, the so-called Cyclorama being a precursor to cinema.
Photo: OpenSFHistory.org, wnp67.0131
Market and 10th 2023. The entire block is now one building with Twitter headquartered at 1355 Market.
Photo: Eihway Su
1355 Market entrance.
Photo: Eihway Su
1355 Market entrance all the way to roof.
Photo: Eihway Su