847 Fillmore: Stories in the Walls

Jim & Sally's DeepDive
847 Fillmore: Stories in the Walls

Step inside the storied walls of 847 Fillmore Street in San Francisco, a Victorian mansion with a rich history spanning over a century. From its role as a Fire Department headquarters after the 1906 earthquake to a clandestine communist spy drama in the shadows and its stunning 2024 transformation into a luxury home, this podcast uncovers the layers of history behind one extraordinary address.

Episodes

  1. Echoes of the Past, Visions of Tomorrow - The House That Wouldn’t Fade

    9 FEB

    Echoes of the Past, Visions of Tomorrow - The House That Wouldn’t Fade

    For over 130 years, 847 Fillmore has stood as a witness to San Francisco’s history—surviving earthquakes, fires, and transformations. Its incredible history is a time capsule, a microcosm of San Francisco's history.   In this final episode, we explore its Victorian beginnings, mid-century reinventions, and its latest restoration as it enters the market in 2025.  From grand Queen Anne opulence to modern luxury, this home’s journey is a testament to resilience and change. Join us as we bid farewell to 847 Fillmore and its unforgettable stories.
    18 min
  2. War, Displacement, and the Fight for Home

    8 FEB

    War, Displacement, and the Fight for Home

    In this episode, we uncover the tumultuous history of 847 Fillmore and its connection to wartime displacement and racial inequities in San Francisco. From the forced removal of Japanese Americans under Executive Order 9066 to the arrival of Black Southern migrants seeking wartime opportunities, we explore how Alamo Square, the Fillmore, and Japantown evolved during and after World War II. Focusing on the events of November 1943, we examine the stark realities of urban displacement, systemic housing discrimination, and the resilience of those who called 847 Fillmore home. 🔊 Join us as we bring history to life, one story at a time.
    15 min
  3. Flash, the Canine Hero of Alamo Square

    8 FEB

    Flash, the Canine Hero of Alamo Square

    Step back in time to 1933–1942, when Jewish Romanian couple Herman and Rosa Marcus transformed 847 Fillmore from a beer baron’s mansion into a vibrant Yiddish social hall. In this episode, we dive into the Glimpses of the Fillmore District’s Jewish Past YouTube transcript, uncovering the arrival of Eastern European Jews to San Francisco’s Fillmore neighborhood, their daily lives, and the tensions they faced from the established German Jewish community.  Plus, we spotlight the gripping tale of hero dog Flash and the near-tragic incident involving the Marcus daughters in January 1941. This deep dive brings to life the resilience and culture of the Fillmore’s Jewish Quarter. 🎧 Tune in for a rich historical journey filled with drama, heritage, and untold stories from San Francisco’s past.
    12 min
  4. Benny & The Feds - Dictographs in the Shadows

    5 FEB

    Benny & The Feds - Dictographs in the Shadows

    During the politically charged 1930s, 847 Fillmore was a bustling Yiddish social hall that unwittingly became a targeted venue for the Young Communist League’s secret gatherings. This intriguing chapter of the home’s history was uncovered by investigative journalists and private detectives, revealing the property’s role in the cultural and political movements that swept through San Francisco. It’s a story that bridges the home’s history with the broader tapestry of American social change.
    16 min
  5. A San Francisco Tale of Identical Twins - Augie and Dave

    28 JAN

    A San Francisco Tale of Identical Twins - Augie and Dave

    Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s Alamo Square, Dave, aka 847 Fillmore, and its identical twin Augie, aka 837 Fillmore, stand as living testaments to the city’s rich architectural and cultural history. The two identical Queen Anne-style mansions, designed in 1893 by architects Ferdinand H. Martens and Alfred Ignatius Coffey, embodied the grandeur of the era.  Over the decades, the twin’s paths diverged, and 847 Fillmore bore witness to San Francisco’s triumphs and tragedies, from its vital role in the 1906 earthquake recovery to enduring devastating fires that reshaped its structure and spirit.  Today, living in the shadow of its taller twin, 847 Fillmore tells a story of resilience and transformation, blending its storied past with a bold vision for the future, symbolizing a city that thrives on reinvention.
    42 min
  6. A Victorian Love Letter to San Francisco

    26 JAN

    A Victorian Love Letter to San Francisco

    A deep dive into the rich and multifaceted history of 847 Fillmore Street in San Francisco, from its 1893 construction as one of a pair of identical Victorian mansions to its present-day renovation as a luxury home.  We chronicle the various uses of the property, including its service as Fire Department headquarters after the 1906 earthquake, a Yiddish social hall, and a modern-day bed-and-breakfast.  Transformative events like fires and the building's role as an unwitting target of communist plotters during The Great Depression to World War II housing for displaced Black families are documented. Finally, a close-up of the extensive 2024 renovation, blending the building's Victorian heritage with modern amenities.
    18 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Step inside the storied walls of 847 Fillmore Street in San Francisco, a Victorian mansion with a rich history spanning over a century. From its role as a Fire Department headquarters after the 1906 earthquake to a clandestine communist spy drama in the shadows and its stunning 2024 transformation into a luxury home, this podcast uncovers the layers of history behind one extraordinary address.

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