Here’s a fun visual tour of a hidden corner of Noe Valley. Comerford Alley is a rustic quasi-paved alley that runs from Sanchez to Church, between 27th and Duncan streets. It’s named after Joseph Comerford, a developer who built a bunch of single-family homes in 1870s, ‘80s and ‘90s in Noe Valley. Comerford built so many houses in this corner of Noe Valley that at the time it was known as Comerfordville.
Most of the houses Comerford designed were simple one-story flat front Italianates with central entrances flanked by windows. Some Comerford houses are still around, including the ones built in 1879 at 225 and 227 27th Street.
Today, the alley is a favorite passage for dog owners to walk their pets and a garden backdoor for many of the residents on that street. Photographer Ted Weinstein recently snapped some great shots of the doorways of Comerford.
It’s a charming collection of secret entryways and a fun stroll down the alley. You can see the full collection in a slideshow on Ted Weinstein's site - thanks to the reader who sent us the link!
[Top photos Google Maps, bottom photos Ted Weinstein]
3 comments:
Growing up we were told never to walk in that alley. A young boy was walking home from school one day and someone was target practicing in their backyard. The young boy was shot by a bullet that went through the fence. Sometimes we would dare a kid to walk in there and they would run the whole way.
That boy who died was Mark King whose family lived on 25th st between Church and Dolores Sts. We were in the same 5th grade class at St Paul school together. He was shot by a Navy sailor on leave who was practicing shooting at a tree trunk in the backyard, missed, and the bullet went through the rear fence and hit Mark in the abdomen. This took place in 1960. RIP Mark.
Mark King, better known as "Doc", was a young boy who was well-liked by all. He could usually be found hanging around Day Street park and was well known to all the kids at St Pauls and of the neighborhood. He was a joy to be around by people of all ages and had a fun and wicked sense of humor that endeared him to others. He was small in stature but his persona was huge.
His untimely death was a true tragedy to the neighborhood. RIP Doc.
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