San Francisco’s Western Addition was first developed in the early 1900s as a mostly middle-class area of the City. Bordered by Van Ness Avenue to the east and California Street to the north, the Western Addition is known to comprise smaller neighborhoods including Lower Pacific Heights, Cathedral Hill, the Fillmore, Alamo Square and more.
The Western Addition has a rich history as multicultural and economically diverse area. After World War II, the area – especially the Fillmore – became a center for African Americans and the burgeoning jazz scene in San Francisco. Music legends like Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday could be seen playing in different clubs throughout the area.
