SoMa in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

James Lick Baths/People's Laundry Bldg.

San Francisco Landmark No. 246

— 165 10th Street —

James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Bldg. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 23, 2020

1. James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Bldg. Marker

Inscription. The James Lick Baths/People's Laundry building served as a public bath house for working-class San Franciscans from 1890 - 1919. Financed by philanthropist James Lick, the bath house had separate men's and women's facilities and a distinctive tower that held two large water tanks. Later, a Japanese American family, the Tsukamotos, operated a laundry in the building from 1920 - 1973. Established during a time of rampant discrimination against Asian immigrants, the business functioned as a point of contact for newly arrived Japanese men and their families.

Designated Aug. 25, 2004

Erected by Historic Preservation Commission. (Marker Number 246.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 2004.

Location. 37° 46.475′ N, 122° 24.89′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in SoMa. It is on 10th Street north of Howard Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 10th Street, San Francisco CA 94103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Jackson Brewery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ringold Alley (approx. ¼ mile away); Hotel Whitcomb

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Ashurbanipal Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Monument / California Native Americans (approx. 0.4 miles away); Birthplace of The United Nations (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Woodward's Gardens (approx. 0.4 miles away); McAllister Tower (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . San Francisco Landmark #246: James Lick Baths (Noehill.com). (Submitted on August 23, 2020.)

James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Bldg. Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 23, 2020

2. James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Bldg. Marker - wide view

Note that above the door the display of two key dates: Erected AD 1890, and Rebuilt AD 1906. (See Photo No. 4)

James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 23, 2020

3. James Lick Baths / People's Laundry Building

Ruins of James Lick Baths (post the Earthquake and Fire of April 18, 1906) image. Click for full size.

Herman Davis (courtesy of the Bancroft Library), 1906

4. Ruins of James Lick Baths (post the Earthquake and Fire of April 18, 1906)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 779 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.