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Show - 69 - The trademen's trucks,which were parked along side the various places of business,were hauling in their products; freshly baked bread, ice cream, and canned goods . The big meat wagons waited their turn to haul in the sides of meat. The girls never tired of looking at the old and new houses that lined the streets and progressed out into city blocks as they drove through one residential area after another. Occasionally, they would pass a business district and the same activity was repeated as at Sun Bruno Avenue. Automobiles, and people busy shopping, while others waited at the corners for the next street car to take them to various other, parts of the city. Soon they left behind the homes and drove past the industrial section where manufacturing plant after plant were located. Big old buildings of red brick with small, high windows and cavernous interiors. The majority dated back to before the 1906 earthquake and fire, and very little improvements had been put into them since. From clothing to canneries, automotive parts, anything that was necessary to keep a thriving, teaming city operating were produced in this area.. Here also, was the rundown part of San Francisco. The squalid neighborhoods were an eyesore to such a beautiful city. The ramshakled old houses had been constructed before the factories had taken over and were deteriorated and tired looking, with their clothes lines of dejected wash hanging out. It was sad to see the old Victorian homes neglected. Most of them built in the latter l800's and like Gaven House had graceful architectural lines, but their fate was doomed by the terrible decay consuming them. Even the children playing out in front had a forelorn, old look. "I never enjoy driving through this part of town," said Penny and her sister nodded in agreement. Their mother looked straight ahead and did not respond. "I'm afraid all big cities have their good and bad points," commented their father. "I hope that some day we can see all this blight eliminated." |