Harvey's
San Fransisco, CA
The Castro was considered a quiet neighborhood in the 1960s with The Missouri Mule as it's only gay bar. In 1974, its present gay owner purchased the building on the corner of 18th and Castro. On November 27, 1974 (which coincidentally is the same date that Harvey Milk was assassinated in 1978) Fred Rogers and David Manducca opened the Elephant Walk bar/restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Anderson's Pharmacy at 500 Castro St . During that time, Castro neighborhood merchant, Harvey Milk owned and operated a camera shop up the street from The Elephant Walk. He praised the bar and hailed it as a place where the gay community could meet, feel safe and secure while at the same time be visible to the whole world. Milk soon became known for his passion and was dubbed the "Mayor of the Castro" --a title that suited him well and permitted him to be a voice and heart for the community.
Today, the Castro district is known around the world as a place where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people live and work together. It is a major center for gay political and social activities, the historic Castro Theatre, Harvey Milk Plaza, the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Castro Street Fair, Gay Pride Week, Halloween festivities, as well as many other events. The Castro is also the destination of the famed F Street surface trolley line featuring colorful historic trolleys from around the world. Though the Castro district has undergone many changes as its' community grows, through it all Harvey's has been its' heart. It is our wish to encourage all people to visit the Castro district, get to know its' people which, in turn, will allow our acceptance and appreciation of one another's differences to grow.
Today, the Castro district is known around the world as a place where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people live and work together. It is a major center for gay political and social activities, the historic Castro Theatre, Harvey Milk Plaza, the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Castro Street Fair, Gay Pride Week, Halloween festivities, as well as many other events. The Castro is also the destination of the famed F Street surface trolley line featuring colorful historic trolleys from around the world. Though the Castro district has undergone many changes as its' community grows, through it all Harvey's has been its' heart. It is our wish to encourage all people to visit the Castro district, get to know its' people which, in turn, will allow our acceptance and appreciation of one another's differences to grow.