The San Francisco Tenderloin is a well-known area that has a stained reputation when mentioned. People often overlook the reasons why it acquired its reputation. However, its history offers valuable insights as to how it got to its current state today. While there are many stories as to why it is called the “Tenderloin,” it is commonly said that it does have to do with a cut of meat. In 1931, when corruption was common in this area, Captain Alexander S. Williams was said to have accepted bribes in order to afford finer cuts of meat such as the tenderloin. 

The Tenderloin was already tainted with racism, scandalous businesses, and “rebels” from the start. In the 1920s, Jazz was illegal as society felt this genre of music was dangerous and immoral (PBS). In reality, the barring of this music was motivated by the intention to stifle African American culture and deem it as a crime. Nevertheless, African Americans continued to create and play jazz in the Tenderloin area as police regulation was very limited in that area. During the hippie era (‘60s, 70s), the Tenderloin also became a judgement-free zone for LGBTQ as they were able to freely express themselves (something that was limited to them in other areas of the city). Throughout the history of the Tenderloin, drug markets, illegal gambling areas, and pleasure houses were also prominent throughout the Tenderloin. With most of these businesses operating underground, regulation of these areas was near zero (LETSOALO).  These scandalous businesses, along with the fact that the Tenderloin was populated with outcasts of society and criminals contribute to the infamous reputation of the Tenderloin. 

Shady businesses were not the sole cause of the bad reputation. Housing issues for residents in San Francisco were also a driving force. The Tenderloin became an area where people could get housing for cheap. Nevertheless the land that was being sold was often small and cramped. With less space to be comfortable in one’s home, Tenderloin residents often hung out outside of their buildings. Essentially, the sidewalk became the living room for most Tenderloin residents. This led to an increased amount of trash, cigarettes, and needles from drugs that pollute the area. 

Currently, the Tenderloin is known to be dangerous, dirty, and populated with homeless people. When making these assumptions, one must understand that it was very difficult for the Tenderloin to avoid this reputation as it was already set up for failure during its inception. Still, the Tenderloin is home to thousands of people and its history cannot be forgotten.

Works Cited 

LETSOALO , TSHEGO. “The History of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Neighborhood.” HI USA, 8 June 2020, www.hiusa.org/blog/travel-guides/history-of-san-franciscos-tenderloin-neighborhood.

PBS. “Culture Shock: The TV Series and Beyond: The Devil’s Music: 1920’S Jazz.” Pbs.org, 2019, www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/beyond/jazz.html.