The Hidden Chinatown of San Francisco

This First Chinese Baptist Church stood unique among all Chinatown buildings in that it incorporates clinker bricks in its facade. Originally built in 1888, it was rebuilt after the 1906 Earthquake and fire. The congregation, with assistance from other Baptist churches across the US, was able to rebuild, and they chose a very western choice: walls studded with that's known as "clinker bricks". These bricks are darker, and gnarled, and are named for the sound they make when you clink them together.  First Chinese Baptist Church, 15 Waverly Pl, SF CA 94108 courtesy author Close-up of the gnarled clinker bricks among regular bricks Clinker bricks are made by exposing unfired bricks to hotter fire for longer so the surfaces sintered and thus are SEALED, unlike regular bricks which are porous. Therefore, the clinker bricks barely absorb any water, and are denser and heavier than regular bricks, thus more stable.  NOTE:  Some claim the clinker bricks were reclaimed from the rub...

Old St. Mary's Cathedral, with the address of 660 California St (corner of California and Grant), is also the Chinese Mission, and the first Cathedral in California. The cornerstone was set on July 17, 1853, and the cathedral completed and dedicated for Christmas1854, by Bishop Joseph S Alemany. This was both the first dedicated cathedral (and thus, the head Catholic building in the state, and was also the tallest building in San Francisco when it opened, at 27 meters (89 ft) tall, due to the extra tall clocktower.  One of the most prominent features of the clocktower was the quote from Ecclesiasticus 4:23 right below the clock itself: "Son, Observe the Time and Fly from Evil." It was meant to warn the sailors from visiting the various brothels and other dens of vices in the area.  This cathedral was demoted to a regular parish church in 1891 when the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (aka "New Saint Mary's") was built at Van Ness and O'Farrell. ...