Nothing is too shocking for San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District, even legs suspended above a sidewalk.

By Roy Morlidge / Beat Staff Writer

It was once the home for the wealthy but, the summer of 1967 changed all that for the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco. People came from all parts of the United States, each looking for a new way to live. Peace, drugs, and free love became the answer for many. Singer Scott McKenzie perhaps captured the new feelings when he sang “For all those who come to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.” The Haight-Ashbury had become the center of a social earthquake that would leave behind aftershocks felt for years to come.

Though the area is named simply after the intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets, the district itself primarily expands west from Golden Gate Park and south of the panhandle. Originally nothing more then sand dunes, the Haight-Ashbury began to boom with development when the arrival of the cable car allowed for easier transportation into the area. Shortly after, the wealthier citizens of San Francisco began building homes in the area.

Built in 1904, the Stanyon Park Hotel provides a direct link to the old Haight-Ashbury. The hotel is located directly across the street from Golden Gate Park and all of its attractions as well as near public transportation. Today, the hotel is a designated National Historic Landmark.

Having taken a big hit during the depression years, the Haight-Ashbury began its historic path towards the summer of love in the late 50’s/early 60’s when the Beats (beatniks as San Francisco columnist Herb Caen came to call them) moved into the district bringing with them the counter-culture movement.

The counter-culture brought with it many interesting firsts. For instance, 1535 Haight St. was

Behold the most photographed street signs in the United States.

once the address of the Psychedelic Shop. The first of its kind, today one will only find a small pizza shop quietly occupying the site.

At 558 Clayton, the intersection of Clayton and Haight, is the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Opened in 1967 by Dr. David Smith, it was the first free clinic in the country. Still in operation today, it can be found sharing a building with the Tibetan Gift Corner.

Though today a shadow of its former self, Haight St. still holds on to the memory of 1967. Walking along it, you can still find many buildings painted with psychedelic color schemes. Smoke shops, tattoo parlors, and music stores line along its length. You can still get vintage era clothing from one of the many clothing stores in the area or get fresh produce at bargain prices at the Haight Street

Not your typical neighborhood, the bold primary colors that came to define the Summer of Love are still everywhere in the District.

Market, where a pack of strawberries only costs a dollar. Established big business chains are no where to be found, with exception to a lone McDonalds (Stanyan & Haight Streets) and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop.

For those who are interested in architecture, you can find many examples of original Victorian style homes here. Today you can see rows upon rows of them along almost every street and in just about every color imaginable. In the 60’s, many interesting personalities would live in some of these homes. However keep in mind that these are private homes and not open to the public.

Not only did the sixties bring change in beliefs, but it had a major impact on music. As a result, many notables lived here at one time or another. At 130 Delmar St., one will see the house that the

Health Insurance not needed, the Free Medical Clinic has treated thousands of ill patients for free.

Jefferson Airplane once lived. With Grace Slick as their lead vocal, they are best remembered for songs such “Someone to Love,” and “White Rabbit.” Meanwhile, a young Seattle guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix once called 1524A Haight St. his home. Today this apartment blends in next to the Ashbury Tobacco Center. Other singers of note include Country Joe McDonald (Country Joe and The Fish), best remembered for “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” about the Vietnam War, and formerly living on Lyon St. was a young singer from Texas named Janis Joplin.

However when one mentions music of the 1960’s, the San Francisco band which lived at 710 Ashbury St. can never be left out. 1965 saw the coming together of a band first known as the Warlocks. Shortly after, they changed their name and became recognizable world over as the Grateful Dead.

The Haight-Ashbury has today settled into the life of a tourist destination. Gifts and souvenirs can be purchased at many of the area’s shops and one can find t-shirts carrying the image of the famous Haight and Ashbury intersection street sign. However the architecture, the bright colors, and the non-conformist attitude still make the Haight-Ashbury a worthy place to visit whether you’re a tourist wanting to see the sights of San Francisco or just someone who wants to reconnect with a revolutionary time in United States History.