Anson Parsons Hotaling facts for kids

Anson Parsons Hotaling (born February 28, 1827, in New York – died February 16, 1900, in San Francisco) was an important merchant and real estate developer in San Francisco. He was known for his business ventures and for a famous alley named after him. His last name, sometimes spelled Houghtaling, came from the old Dutch name Hoogteijling.

Early Life and Journey to San Francisco

Anson Hotaling was born and grew up in the countryside of New York. He was the third son and sixth child of Garrit A Ho(u)ghtaling and Hanna Parsons.

In 1852, when he was 25, he sailed to San Francisco on a ship named "The Racehound." The journey was very long in those days. Ships had to sail all the way around Cape Horn, which is the southern tip of South America. His ship stopped in several cities in South America to get supplies. He even thought about staying there, but he decided to continue his journey to San Francisco.

Building a Business Empire

When Anson Hotaling first arrived in California, he tried working in mining for a short time. However, within a year, he returned to San Francisco. There, he started a business with a partner, selling different goods.

By 1866, his business had grown a lot. He became the only owner and operator. He started a shipping company, trading goods with islands in the South Pacific Ocean. He also traded with settlements on the Pacific coast of Russia. Later, he expanded his trade even further, reaching Australia.

Anson Hotaling also invested in many other things. He bought a lot of real estate (land and buildings) in California, Oregon, and Washington. He also put money into mining for iron and mercury.

Family Life

Anson Hotaling married Lavinia J. Linen on November 3, 1863. They had four sons, but sadly, two of them passed away before him. His son, Richard M. Hotaling, later served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors starting in 1900. The Board of Supervisors is like a city council that helps govern San Francisco.

Hotaling Place and the Great Earthquake

A short street in San Francisco is named after Anson Hotaling. It is called Hotaling Place. This one-block lane is in the Jackson Square Historic District. People sometimes call it "San Francisco's oldest alley."

Anson Hotaling had a large warehouse on Hotaling Place. This warehouse stored many of his goods. In 1906, a huge earthquake and fire struck San Francisco. Many buildings were destroyed, but Hotaling's warehouse survived!

This survival was so surprising that a poet named Charles K. Field wrote a poem about it. Today, this poem is displayed on a plaque at Hotaling Place:

If, as they say, God spanked the town

For being over-frisky,

Why did He burn His churches down

And spare Hotaling's Whiskey?

Anson Hotaling passed away on February 16, 1900, in San Francisco, before the great earthquake.