Today, at 743 Washington St, is a small building squashed between two regular buildings, with an elaborate multi-level pagoda roof, and you'd walk by without another glance, as it is just a bank (now East West Bank, formerly Bank of Canton). But you are walking by a piece of history, for that was the location of the Chinatown Telephone exchange. The telephone service in Chinatown actually started in 1894, with 3 male operators and 37 phone subscribers. Though some sources claimed it started in 1887 or 1901. However, the 1894 date seems to be better supported . The switchboard used to occupy a different building on the corner of Grant and Washington but moved in 1896 into the 743 Washington building, which was previously occupied by the first English Newspaper in California, the California Star , founded by Sam Brannan. (Those of you who kept up with history may have heard the joke that Sam Brannan was best known for buying up all the shovels and pans in the city before annou...
An exploration of San Francisco Chinatown typically NOT covered by tours