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

San Francisco Brewing Company

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2012

1. San Francisco Brewing Company Marker

Inscription. This building is the last of the Barbary Coast saloons. Prior to the great earthquake and fire of 1906, this was the site of the infamous Billy Goat Saloon, operated by Pigeon-toed Sal. After reconstruction, the original Andromeda Saloon opened here in 1907. World Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey worked the door in 1913 before his historic July 4, 1919 fight in which he took the title from Jess Willard with a TKO. The massive ‘Punkah’ ceiling fan is vintage 1916. The magnificent flame mahogany bar, tile spittoon and other features were restored in 1975. The facility became the Albatross Saloon in 1977. In 1985, Allan Paul established the San Francisco Brewing Company. Master Coppersmith Fred Zaft handcrafted the unique copper brew kettle. This is the city’s first and the nation’s fourth operating brew pub since the end of Prohibition.

Erected 2003 by E Clampus Vitus, Yerba Buena Chapter No. 1.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 37° 47.824′ N, 122° 24.331′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Chinatown.

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Marker is at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Pacific Street, on the right when traveling south on Columbus Avenue. The location is now the Comstock Saloon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 155 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco CA 94133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Devil's Acre & Battle Row (a few steps from this marker); Niebaum-Coppola (within shouting distance of this marker); American Zoetrope (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Chile (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lusty Lady (within shouting distance of this marker); Lupo’s Restaurant (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Italian American Bank (about 400 feet away); Finnochio's (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . .
1. San Francisco’s Lost Landmarks. Book by James R. Smith on Amazon.com with the “look inside” feature. Exerpt:

The Billy Goat was the worst of the lot, renowned for its odor of unwashed bodies, stale beer, and damp sawdust. Pigeon-toed Sal, a middle-aged Irish woman, owned the [saloon] and served as its barkeep and bouncer. ... and any illegalities met with Sal’s approval as long as she received her customary 50 percent cut.

(Submitted on July 2, 2022.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

2. Wikipedia entry for Barbary Coast.

The Barbary
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2012

2. Marker at the Comstock Saloon Entrance
Coast was a red-light district during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries in San Francisco that featured dance halls, concert saloons, bars, jazz clubs, variety shows, and brothels. ...

(Submitted on July 2, 2022.)

Former San Francisco Brewing Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2012

3. Former San Francisco Brewing Company

Building houses the Comstock Saloon on this corner. The Transamerica Pyramid is seen in the distance.

Typical Night on the Barbary Coast, 1913 image. Click for full size.

(Public Domain) San Francisco Public Library, 1913

4. Typical Night on the Barbary Coast, 1913

This is a view of Pacific Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 989 times since then and 52 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 3, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on July 2, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.