Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women
| Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 2066 Pine Street, San Francisco, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°47′19″N 122°25′48″W / 37.788631°N 122.429895°W |
| Built | c. 1878 – c. 1879 |
| Built for | Third Baptist Church |
| Architectural style(s) | Italianate style |
| Designated | December 12, 1999 |
| Reference no. | 211 |
  Location of Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women in San Francisco County  Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women (California) | |
The Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women, or simply Walker Home, is a historic Italianate building in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood (or Upper Fillmore) of San Francisco, California, U.S.. From 1921 to 1972, the building housed a charitable, community and social services organization for single African American woman new to San Francisco, who were not eligible to use the YWCA.
It is listed as a San Francisco Designated Landmark since 1999.[1] The building is now a private residence and is not open to the public.
History
[edit]The Madame C.J. Walker Home for Girls and Women was named after Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919), an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist; and the first female self-made millionaire in the United States.[2][3] The Walker Home was financially supported by the Third Baptist Church.[2] It was opened by Irene Bell Ruggles, the president of the California State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.[4]
From 1921 to 1972, the building housed a community and social services program for single African American woman new to San Francisco, who were not eligible to use the services at the YWCA.[1][2] The home primarily served to help women find affordable housing and local work, but also served as a community meeting place.[2] In 1926, the basement of the building was converted into a social hall.[2] In the 1930s, the "Beauticians Club" met at the Walker Home.[3] During World War II, the Walker Home became a vital part of the community, supporting an influx of population growth of African Americans moving to the area.[2]
In 1972, the program was moved to Hayes Street and the building was sold as a private residence.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "San Francisco Landmark #211: Walker House". noehill.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g Richards, Rand (2002). Historic Walks in San Francisco: 18 Trails Through the City's Past. Heritage House Publishers. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-879367-03-6.
- ^ a b Oaks, Robert F. (2005-05-25). San Francisco's Fillmore District. Arcadia Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-4396-3092-1.
- ^ Fulbright, Leslie (February 16, 2009). "Some S.F. African American history landmarks". SFGATE. Retrieved 2024-01-21.