A bit ago we were cruising across the Golden Gate into San Francisco and took a little tour of the inner city. But
first I took this photo from the Gate's northend overlook.
About the inner city, I can tell you that it's a mite varied and of course recommend touring this area in a car, rather than a long RV. All in all,
we had a great experience and didn't t-bone any street musicians.
My question is: Can anybody tell me the actual reason this area is called 'The Tenderloin'and when that term originated?
For sure it is, Ged...but I'd already reviewed all that and it seems to just be conjecture based on the Tenderloin part of New York or because of
urban legends about crooked cops, slums, etc. Was hoping for a local historian to pop up with the real 'scoop'. If not I'll just go back to painting
my toenails.motoged - 3-16-2014 at 01:32 PM
What colour?
I am sure some nomads will beat Wiki for accuracy....
Opinions? Yes....here they come....but some may not admit to frequenting the seedy and dark side....Ateo - 3-16-2014 at 01:36 PM
I thought it was named after a guy named John McDonnel. It was widely known that he had a very tender loin and lived in the city in the early 1800's.
Bad attempt at humor.Pompano - 3-16-2014 at 03:13 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
What colour?
I am sure some nomads will beat Wiki for accuracy....
Opinions? Yes....here they come....but some may not admit to frequenting the seedy and dark side....
Ged, do you mean what COLOR?
Edited for levity brevity...
[Edited on 3-17-2014 by Pompano]acadist - 3-16-2014 at 07:32 PM
TMI vjfamily - 3-16-2014 at 07:55 PM
There are many different explanations none seen satisfying, read them all on this link. Joanna
I live sort of near there. I heard the "cops get paid better (because it was more hazardous) so they could afford the better cuts of meat" story.
Don't know if it's true.Marc - 3-20-2014 at 09:43 PM
Well, I live in SF and drive through the western edge of the Tenderloin every day near the Civic Center Plaza. Gals are "working" the area day and
night and have been for generations. Tenderloin is "The loins of prostitutes"
Others have differing histories, but as a native I know that's always been the story old timers tell.
BTW if you had driven to the right after coming of the bridge and through the tunnel in the Presidio you would have to pass directly in front of my
house on Park Presidio Drive.bajagrouper - 3-21-2014 at 08:10 AM
As a native San Franciscan I believe most of the working gals are guys,LOL
My grandfather had a bar in the district in 1905.......still have a melted together clump of Liberty head nickels from his cash register from after
the fire & earthquake of `06....Pompano - 3-21-2014 at 01:14 PM
Many thanks for all those interpretations on how 'The Tenderloin' got it's name. I suspect it pretty much the same naming history as the one in New
York City...which alludes to bribes to cops and prostitution. Makes for a colorful character, but next time I'll take a rickshaw rather than a long
RV. (don't want the local gals/guys thinking we're competition on wheels.)
Marc...yes, I must have driven fairly close to your home when I was delivering a bicycle to a resident. Not a bad side-trip in a RV if you can avoid
rush hour traffic.
bajagrouper...I like finds like that...and that melted hunk of nickels is quite the family heirloom and commemorates an important time in San
Francisco history. Congrats.
p.s. We'll return often for Fisherman's Wharf and those great sourdough bowls of clam chowder!
