History of the Area around City College of San Francisco

Early History (1849-1936)

• The House of Refuge: A correctional facility for troubled youth
• San Francisco County Jail: Later housed here

San Francisco During the Gold Rush

• Lawlessness: Influx of diverse demographics, leading to vigilante justice
• Impressionable Youth: Children growing up in an environment where certain behaviors were unchecked
• Early References: 14-year-old boys on Chain Gangs by 1851

Establishment of Juvenile Facilities

• Need for Juvenile Facilities: State legislation authorized House of Refuge in 1851 due to rising juvenile delinquency
• The Industrial School (1858): San Francisco's term for House of Refuge or juvenile reformatory
  • Located on current site of Science Building
  • Children engaged in farming for self-sustainability

Industrial School Environment

• Mixed Demographics: From 2-year-olds to teenage criminals, boys and girls together for the first 10 years
• Challenges: First-year managers admitted to underestimating the challenges
• Abuse: Instances of boys being tied and beaten, with no consequences for the perpetrators

Transition to San Francisco County Jail

• Jail Construction (1874-1875): Built with 200 cells, each housing two inmates
• Closure of School (1880): Due to the negative influence of criminals on young people

Urban Development and Criticism

• Initial Distance from City: Originally 5 miles away from San Francisco
• Urban Sprawl: City gradually expanded around the House of Refuge and County Jail
• Neighborhood Resistance: Residents opposed having a jail in their vicinity

Establishment of City College of San Francisco (1935)

• Educational Use: Land repurposed for City College, providing education to millions
• Ongoing Changes: Current campus undergoing construction for future student benefit

Positive Community Impact

• Better Use of Land: Preference for educational institution over a prison
• Community Sentiment: Local residents favor having City College as a neighbor over a prison