Potrero Commons 18th-Wisconsin
Unfinished History
Early 1990s view of the Potrero Commons.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Overlooking former Western Pacific tunnel (collapsed in 1962), site of Potrero Commons struggle 1990-1992, now the Arkansas & 18th Lofts built by the former Goodman Group.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Looking southeast in 1973 along Western Pacific railroad tracks in what became Showplace Square later. Potrero Hill and tunnel straight ahead, with slopes above tunnel later temporarily becoming the Potrero Commons.
A still from the movie The Conversation 1973.
Mariposa & Carolina Streets, July 1, 1962 during fire in tunnel.
Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp010.10074
Western Pacific Tunnel Fire. view southeast on railroad right of way from Mariposa at Carolina. Looking at northern entrance of Western Pacific tunnel. The city plugged both ends with concrete and the railroad abandoned the tunnel. The city demanded $781,000 and settled with the railroad for $700,000 in 1964.
Arkansas and 19th, hole indicating collapsed tunnel beneath in July 1960. Note the public housing projects in mid-distance.
Photo: Potrero Hill Archive Project
July 1962, collapsing tunnel beneath the hill.
Photo: courtesy Vance Chan
These lofts along Arkansas Street were built on the former open space of the Potrero Commons, thanks to a multi-party political deal with Mayor Frank Jordan, the Goodman Group, and the developers.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
The top of the loft construction is about where the railroad tunnel collapsed in 1962, after fire weakened the wooden support structures inside. The tunnel was soon closed and filled. It was thirty years before the space was built on.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
