San Francisco Relocation Guide - Antevia

During European settlement of the City in the 19th and 20th century, large numbers of
Irish and German immigrant workers moved into the area. Development and settlement
intensified after the 1906 Earthquake, as many of city's displaced businesses and
residents moved into the area, making Mission Street a major commercial thoroughfare.
In 1926, the Polish Community of San Francisco converted a church on 22nd Street and
Shotwell Street and opened its doors as the Polish Club of San Francisco. Today its
commonly referred to as "Dom Polski", or Polish Home. During the 1940-1960s, large
numbers of Mexicans moved into the area as whites moved out, giving the Mission the
Latin character it is known for today. During the 1980s to 1990s, the Mexican population
was joined by large numbers of immigrants and refugees from Central and South
America fleeing civil war in their home countries.
Despite rising rents and housing prices, gentrification, a stubbornly high crime rate, and
gang warfare, many Mexican and Central American immigrants continue to move into
the Mission district.
Culture of the Inner Mission
The Inner Mission ("The Mission" or "La Misión") has been for several decades the
central nexus of the Chicano and Latin-American community of San Francisco Bay Area,
and though it faces stiff competition from the Outer Mission, the Fruitvale community
across the bay in Oakland as well as down south in San Jose, and by a constant influx of
new populations moving into the area, The Mission is a vibrant community of a rich
multicultural history.
Between late 1960's and 1970's the musician Carlos Santana, who grew up here, became
famous with his band The Santana Blues Band - one of the most influencial American
band in Latin America and Europe.
In 1970 the local bilingual newspaper El Tecolote was founded.
In the same year 1970, the Galería de la Raza was founded by local artists active in el
Movimiento (the Chicano civil rights moment). Today the Galery a non-profit,
community-based Latino arts organization located in the heart of San Francisco’s
Mission District is nationally recognized and is one of the Bay Area’s oldest, most wellrespected
arts organizations.
By 1971, artists, musicians and performers attracted by low rents for former industrial
spaces; created one of the most well-known spaces named Project Artaud, which is home
to several theaters (Theater Artuad, Theater of Yugen, A Traveling Jewish Theater) and
dance studios as well as Southern Exposure Gallery and many genuine live-work artists'
lofts.
By 1977 the Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts was established by chicano
artists and activists. The center became the pilot project of a series of community art