I am looking for the location and current use of a building in San
Francisco that was a Catholic orphanage in the early 1900s; it was in
operation as an orphanage until at least 1920 or so.  My grandmother
was there as a child and and was able to place the time as when there
was a flu epidemic in San
Francisco, in which many people, including her favorite nun, died.

The building was large, of stone or brick, and on a hill overlooking
part of the City.  The last my family knew of its use, it was a "home
for wayward girls."  My great uncle was a fireman in San Francisco,
knew the building, and once showed it to my mother and aunt before he
died, so it was in use for some purpose in the early 1990s.

If there are records, my Grandmother's last name was Holling.  Her
first name was, we think, Mary - but she went by Nellie for as long as
anyone can remember.  If there aren't any records, I would be glad for
the location alone.

I believe that's all the background I can give.

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 19 Oct 2003 02:25 PDT

Hello Susandmc,

Please take a look at the following photographs:

A picture of Mount St. Joseph Orphanage taken in 1929
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5886.jpg

Notes Written on back: "Roman Catholic Orphanage in the Bayview
District".
Subject Orphanages -- Mount St. Joseph.  
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection 
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&6,,10,,


Another picture of Mount St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum
(No date)
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5885.jpg

Notes Written on back: "S.F. Mount St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Orphan
Asylum, Susquehanna St.".
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection 
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&7,,10,,


Another photograph of Mount St. Joseph Orphanage - (No date)
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5884.jpg

Notes On back: "Orphan Asylum - Four hundred boys and girls of Mount
St. Joseph's orphan asylum, Quesada and Lane streets, South San
Francisco, were given Christmas presents by Knights of Columbus
Council No. 615, headed by Grand Knight Frank Barrett. The handsome
building was completed in 1912."
Written on back: "Silver Terrace facing Bayview St. on Scotia Ave.". 
San Francisco (Calif.).  
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection  
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&5,,10,,


In 1852 “the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul opened an
orphanage at Market and Montgomery. The nuns arrived to care for the
orphans and victims of the cholera epidemic. The orphanage later moved
and was renamed Mount St. Joseph.”
(SFC, 9/15/98, p.A9)(Ind, 8/11/01, 5A) 
http://timelines.ws/cities/SF_A_1892.HTML


You can read about the history of the South San Francisco Orphan
Asylum here:
http://www.zpub.com/sf50/sf/hgcsc.htm#South%20San%20Francisco


I found the following posting at Rootsweb:

“There used to be a large Catholic girl's orphanage on top of a
hill named "Silverview Terrace" near the corner of Silver and Army
Streets, in San Francisco. The orphanage was burned to the ground,
later sold to a private San Mateo contractor, who built a private
housing tract (similar to condo's, but not high-rise) on the site,
Named it Silverview Terrace. I used to live there. There was a
published book about the institution and area, published by the
Chronicle Press, nowout of print.
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/NORCAL/1999-10/0939898490


Could the Mount St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum be the
orphanage you’re looking for? The pictures seem to fit the description
you gave in your question.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Question by susandmc-ga on 19 Oct 2003 21:06 PDT

Bobbie7 -- It looks like it could be - large, imposing and looking
down at other buildings.  I'm going to email a photo to my mother and
see if this is the building she remembers seeing.  I hope that's okay
to do.  I'll get back to you shortly.

What great (and fast) research.

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 19 Oct 2003 21:20 PDT

Dear Susandmc,

I did some more research and I reviewed other catholic orphanages in
San Francisco in that time period.  I believe that Mount St. Joseph's
Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum is probably the one you’re looking for.

Yes, it’s okay to check with your mother if this is the building she
remembers.

I will be looking forward to your reply. 

Sincerely,
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Question by susandmc-ga on 21 Oct 2003 05:52 PDT

Bobbie7 -- You're right; that's the place.  My mother is delighted and
so am I. Thanks so much for your help.

Best wishes and many thanks -- Susan

Dear Susan,

I am very pleased that I found the exact orphanage you and your
mothers were looking for.

I am copying my findings into the official answer box.


Here’s a picture of Mount St. Joseph Orphanage taken in 1929
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5886.jpg

Notes Written on back: "Roman Catholic Orphanage in the Bayview
District".
Subject Orphanages -- Mount St. Joseph.  
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection 
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&6,,10,,


Another picture of Mount St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum
(No date)
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5885.jpg

Notes Written on back: "S.F. Mount St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Orphan
Asylum, Susquehanna St.”
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection 
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&7,,10,,


Another photograph of Mount St. Joseph Orphanage - (No date)
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAD-5884.jpg

Notes On back: "Orphan Asylum - Four hundred boys and girls of Mount
St. Joseph's orphan asylum, Quesada and Lane streets, South San
Francisco, were given Christmas presents by Knights of Columbus
Council No. 615, headed by Grand Knight Frank Barrett. The handsome
building was completed in 1912."
Written on back: "Silver Terrace facing Bayview St. on Scotia Ave.". 
San Francisco (Calif.).  
Series San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection  
San Francisco Public Library 
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/dOrphanages/dorphanages/1,7,33,E/frameset&FF=dorphanages+mount+st+joseph&5,,10,,

In 1852 “the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul opened an
orphanage at Market and Montgomery. The nuns arrived to care for the
orphans and victims of the cholera epidemic. The orphanage later moved
and was renamed Mount St. Joseph.”
(SFC, 9/15/98, p.A9)(Ind, 8/11/01, 5A) 
http://timelines.ws/cities/SF_A_1892.HTML


History of the South San Francisco Orphan Asylum
http://www.zpub.com/sf50/sf/hgcsc.htm#South%20San%20Francisco


I found the following posting at Rootsweb:

“There used to be a large Catholic girl's orphanage on top of a
hill named "Silverview Terrace" near the corner of Silver and Army
Streets, in San Francisco. The orphanage was burned to the ground,
later sold to a private San Mateo contractor, who built a private
housing tract (similar to condo's, but not high-rise) on the site,
Named it Silverview Terrace. I used to live there. There was a
published book about the institution and area, published by the
Chronicle Press, nowout of print.
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/NORCAL/1999-10/0939898490


Search criteria:

San Francisco Catholic orphanage
San Francisco Catholic asylum
San Francisco orphanages
Mount St. Joseph Orphanage 
Roman Catholic Girls Asylum
San Francisco Public Library

Best regards,
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 21 Oct 2003 06:49 PDT

Sorry about the typo!
That should say "mother" not "mothers"

Bobbie7-ga found a building my family's been seeking for years -
quickly and comprehesively.  Excellent job, and I'm very thankful.