Chinatown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Alleyways in Chinatown
Ross Alley
June 12, 2021
1. Alleyways in Chinatown Marker
(Now a bit cleaner than earlier versions)
Alleyways in Chinatown were created during the early settlement of Chinese in the late 1870’s. During that period, the rapidly-growing community was restricted by anti-Chinese sentiment to a six block area behind the back streets of the Barbary Coast. To maximize space within the confines of its boundary, the community created a maze of secondary streets and pedestrian walkways.
Ross Alley is located in the center of this maze. The alley is a narrow passage running between Washington and Jackson Streets. Ross is actually an extension of Spofford Alley in many ways. In the past, both alleyways were infamous as a place for gambling and prostitution. Ross is known as “Gau Leuie Sung Hong” (Old Spanish Alley) because of the many latins (sic) that patronized the area. Today there are both residences and commercial establishments in the densely built-up alleyway which continues to function as a major artery for pedestrians.
Erected by Ross Alley Improvement Associations Chinatown Neighborhood Improvement Resource Center & Chinatown Better Parks and Recreation Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 37° 47.742′ N, 122°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ross Alley / 舊呂宋巷 (within shouting distance of this marker); Spofford Alley / 斯呂宋巷 (within shouting distance of this marker); Watershed History (North Shore) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Legacy of Preserving Fish (about 400 feet away); California Star (about 400 feet away); First Chinese American Boy Scout Troop in America (about 400 feet away); The Birthplace of a Great City (about 500 feet away); Raising of the American Flag (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. Pedestrian traffic only.
Also see . . . When Chinatown Was a World Apart. San Francisco Thinkwalks website entry:
Historians like to quibble about names. Ross Alley is recognized as the first alley in San Francisco—that is, the first Alley. (All the previous alleys were called "Street.") There have been long stretches of time, however, when Ross Alley was called by other names. (Submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
2. Alleyways in Chinatown Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2017
3. Alleyways in Chinatown Marker
After an attempt of cleaning.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
4. Alleyways in Chinatown Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
5. Plaque (map) showing the alleyways in Chinatown
Embedded in the Ross Alley pavement. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Photographed By Larry Gertner
6. Ross Alley & the Truth about Chinatown’s side streets
The Fern Hill Times website entry:
The author takes issue with much of the information on this marker, the gist of the argument being that the area's alleyways were already in place prior to the arrival of Chinese immigrants settling into the area.
Click for more information.
The author takes issue with much of the information on this marker, the gist of the argument being that the area's alleyways were already in place prior to the arrival of Chinese immigrants settling into the area.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 13, 2021. 2. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 6. submitted on June 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
