Some Cities and San Francisco, and Resurgam

In Short

This book serves as both a historical meditation on city-building and a rallying cry for the reconstruction of San Francisco. By contrasting the city’s humble beginnings and recent destruction with the grand, planned histories of global metropolises like Paris, London, and even ancient Babylon, the narrative insists that San Francisco is destined for greatness. The author argues that true urban progress requires balancing commercial utility with aesthetic ambition, urging citizens and the federal government to transcend greed and political infighting to transform the ruined port into an "imperial city."

The Story

The narrative begins with a recognition of the 1906 catastrophe as a pivotal, if painful, turning point. Before the fire, architects had already drafted plans to beautify San Francisco; the destruction of the old, narrow-streeted, fire-prone city cleared the way for those improvements. The author frames this not merely as a local tragedy but as a common stage in the evolution of all major cities. From the feudal, cramped quarters of old European capitals to the "made-to-order" brilliance of modern Vienna, the author surveys how great civilizations have repeatedly rebuilt themselves through fire and progress.

Moving from the universal to the specific, the narrative examines the unconventional origins of San Francisco. Unlike cities planned by monarchs or empires, San Francisco was born of "common humanity"—traders and gold-seekers who gave little thought to aesthetics. This lack of initial planning resulted in an ill-conceived, cramped urban landscape. However, the author insists that the city’s location on the Pacific, its temperate climate, and its proximity to vast, fertile hinterlands grant it an inevitable, "high destiny." The author argues that the city is a vital "military, industrial, and educational necessity" for the United States, linking the nation to the burgeoning commerce of the Pacific.

As the account progresses, the focus shifts to the immediate aftermath of the disaster. While the author celebrates the "superb benevolence" of those who provided relief, he is critical of the failures of government and the greed of commercial interests. He laments that promised aid—such as lower duties on building materials—never materialized, leaving citizens to contend with rising costs and profiteering. Yet, the author remains undaunted. He observes that even amidst the rubble, the city’s core remained intact. Business resumed, and the population, undeterred by the "chronic croakers" who feared earthquakes might permanently drive away capital, continued to build.

The arc concludes with an appeal for a new, unified approach to urban governance. The author rejects the idea that San Francisco’s fate is merely a matter of chance, asserting that it is the direct result of the choices made by its people. He calls for a departure from "graft and greed" toward a future where the city is designed by responsible business leaders with an eye for the beautiful. By the end, the vision is one of a "permanent world’s fair" at the Golden Gate, a city that serves as a beacon of modern civilization, proving that through collective will, the "soul of the city" remains immortal, despite the fragility of its physical shell.

How It Unfolds

The catastrophe as opportunity The author reframes the 1906 disaster as a necessary catalyst for long-overdue urban reform. He argues that the destruction of the old, cramped city provided a blank canvas for architects and planners to implement modern standards of beauty and utility.

Historical precedents A sweeping survey of world cities, from Nineveh and Rome to Paris and London, serves to normalize the cycle of destruction and renovation. This historical context suggests that San Francisco’s fate is not unique, but rather a standard phase of metropolitan maturation.

The critique of local origins The narrative pivots to analyze the "common" roots of San Francisco, noting that it was founded by profit-seeking individuals with no regard for civic design. This admission highlights the specific obstacles—like narrow streets and political corruption—that the current generation must overcome.

The call to action The final section transforms into a manifesto for the future of the city. The author demands that building decisions be removed from the hands of "pot politicians" and placed with visionary leaders who understand that beauty and commerce are mutually reinforcing.

The People

The author centers his argument on the potential of the "city-builder," a figure who must possess wealth, intelligence, and patriotism to succeed. He contrasts these idealists with the "chronic croakers" and "sharks"—speculators and petty politicians—who prioritize immediate graft over long-term stability. The reader encounters the memory of General Vallejo, whose initial dreams for a grand metropolis were thwarted by the "Yankee trick" that established San Francisco on a sand-blown peninsula instead of a more ideal site. The author also evokes the spirit of the "sturdy gold-seekers," the city’s original inhabitants, whose rugged, individualistic energy founded the city but whose lack of aesthetic foresight left a legacy of urban ugliness. Finally, the author addresses the "new city-builders"—the modern generation—calling upon them to prove that they are more capable of sophisticated, artistic planning than their predecessors.

In Its Own Voice

"Let the earth shake, and fires burn, we will have here our city, better and more beautiful than ever--and more valuable--an imperial city of steel it shall be, and thus will we get even with the misfortunes of this day." Reflecting on the initial response to the 1906 disaster, the author captures the resilient spirit of the era.

"If, however, serfdom and mediaevalism were absent in New World town-planting, so also were aestheticism or any appreciation of the beautiful apart from the useful." The author distinguishes American town growth from its European counterparts, noting the early absence of urban design.

"The shell has been injured, but the soul of the city is immortal; and in the restoration it would be strange if our twentieth-century young men cannot do better in artistic city building than the sturdy gold-seekers and their successors of half a century ago." The author issues a direct challenge to the post-fire generation to improve upon the city's original, haphazard foundations.

What It's Really About

This book is fundamentally an argument for the necessity of long-term civic planning over short-term private gain. The author explores the question of whether a democratic, profit-driven society can produce cities of genuine aesthetic merit. He argues that beauty is not merely a luxury, but a commercial and social asset that "purifies the mind and inspires the soul." The central tension lies between the "useful"—the practical needs of commerce—and the "beautiful," which the author insists must be reconciled if a city is to truly thrive. He poses the question: does a city exist to serve the individual's pursuit of wealth, or to serve as a monument to the collective aspiration and dignity of a nation?

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of urban planning, the resilience of San Francisco, or the early 20th-century American mindset will find this book deeply engaging. It captures the frantic, hopeful energy of a city literally rising from the ashes, and its prose is infused with a grand, oratorical confidence that feels characteristic of its time. However, a modern reader must be prepared for the author’s period-specific attitudes, including a disdain for "filthy foreigners" and a rigid, sometimes paternalistic view of what constitutes "civilization." The writing is occasionally repetitive, reflecting the urgency of its original publication, and the author’s tendency to view the city through the lens of a "world metropolis" may feel grandiose to contemporary eyes. Nevertheless, the book remains a fascinating primary record of a moment when the future of a major American city hung in the balance. It leaves the reader with a poignant understanding of how cities are not merely built of steel and stone, but of the competing dreams, greeds, and aspirations of the people who inhabit them.