South Park Settlement

But within a few blocks on either side of South Park were many little streets, whose crowded tenements furnished homes for less prosperous working people.

[5] Shortly after, the organization was effected, the offer of an annuity for the work of the association, from Phoebe Hearst, enabled them to select a house.

The experiment to be tried, which began in January 1895, was modeled after the methods of the university settlement workers in the slums of large cities, and more particularly from the ideas of Addams, who work in the districts given over to the poor in Chicago were so successful.

In March, 1901, Phoebe Hearst purchased and remodelled the two houses at 84-86 South Park Street, and added the Shaw gymnasium.

The community varied in condition from the prosperous business man and the poor but steadily employed workman to the waterfront contingent verging on destitution.

The main building contained club rooms, shops, cooking and sewing departments, and quarters for ten residents.

To the rear was an attractive little hall, with a seating capacity of about 400, which was used as a gymnasium, for lectures and concerts, and also for numerous and varied club entertainments.

[1] The workers made various efforts for neighborhood and civic betterment; worked hard for a playground for the section; made investigations into school attendance; and were largely instrumental in preparing the way for an adequate child labor law, and for a better law covering the work of women.

The Settlement workers had always aimed to furnish opportunity, suggestions and companionship, at the same time encouraging self-government and initiative on the part of club members.

Miss Eaves, the head worker, returned from New York City, where she had been on leave of absence during the previous winter, and organized social and sewing centers.

[2] Although scattered over miles of devastated territory in camps and tents, many of the South Park neighbors reported themselves to the former residents of the house at relief stations, and demanded, first of all, the re-establishment of the settlement.

One of the young men's clubs pitched its tents in front of the ruins of the old house, determined to stay there till it should be rebuilt.

[2] But it appeared then, and time proved, that the region about South Park was probably to be a commercial district, and as many of the people had moved farther out, it was thought wise to re-establish the settlement work at 720 Treat Avenue and to await the development of city reconstruction before fixing upon a permanent location.

The community varied from a few old wealthy families and prosperous businessmen to a shifting population in inadequate lodging houses and refugee shacks.

[2] The recreational work of the settlement at 2520 Folsom Street was carried out by a large number of small clubs, gymnasium, folk dancing, and singing.