SF Public Library photo. |
San
Francisco is often said to be the most European of American cities. Those
who agree and those who remember the Crystal Palace Market will have
no trouble imaging an enormous European-style marche located at 8th and
Market, in the heart of the City. According to Daniel Joseph Boorstin's
"The Americans: The Democratic Experience," the Crystal Palace Market opened
in 1923 at 1175 Market Street on the site of a former baseball diamond and
circus grounds with 68,000 square feet of selling area and parking for 4,350
cars. One hour parking was free. Each of the many stands, stalls, and concessions
was independently owned and operated. The Crystal Palace offered food, drugs,
tobacco, jewelry, barber and beauty services, and much more including an
on site stall serving San Francisco's famous Anchor Steam beer. By 1937
the market had set sales records of 51,000 pounds of sugar in one hour and
five carloads of eggs in a month. In a single year it sold 200 tons of lemons,
250 tons of oranges, and 300 tons of apples. On August 3, 1959, the Crystal
Palace Market closed and was torn down for construction of the Del Webb
Townhouse complex, which opened in 1961. Today, the
former Crystal Palace location is the headquarters of Trinity Properties,
one of San Francisco's biggest retail landlords. The Del Webb Townhouse
is an apartment building, The Trinity Apartments. |
