Located in Cole Valley, this land was all originally municipally owned Outside Lands west of Divisadero and was claimed by squatters. Most of these squatters were hired by men active in state and municipal politics as a means to claim ownership. At the summit is a small park called Mt. Olympus.
17th Street looking west
Cole Street (and Valley) is named after the prominent City surgeon, R. Beverly Cole. This was one of the neighborhoods that experienced a building boom when it was undamaged in the Great Quake and Fire of 1906. Numerous streets were named after members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisor's Committee on Outside Lands. They included Supervisors Charles Clayton, Monroe Ashbury, A. I Shrader, and Charles Stanyan.
Diversity in people and architecture as well as eventful terrain make this one of San Francisco's more enjoyable areas in which to meander. It is one of The City's most heavily tree-lined neighborhoods with an amazing variety of tree species.
Stanyan Street ascends into the lush vegetation of Forest Knolls on this southwest corner of Cole Valley. Golden Gate Park is visible in the distance.
Even for San Francisco, this neighborhood is particularly diverse providing a visually stimulating environment. A wonderful mix of architecture, terrain and demographics make this neighborhood ideal for many.
On the southern-most border is Belgrave, a beautiful street with many fine homes and gardens, with big views to the North. William Lange, a German immigrant, bought a nine-acre parcel of land in 1870 and set up a dairy farm in this southern edge of Cole Valley.
Ashbury looking up Piedmont
Ashbury Terrace was developed in 1911 as part of a tract called Ashbury Park.