Hindsight

Yeah, I too am seeing some divergence between assessor reality and realty assessment.

For example, the record for 1022/1024 Sanchez (between Elizabeth and 23rd) claims it was from 1848 which would make it one of (if not the) oldest buildings in the city, but I call bullshit.

Neither the 1859 nor 1861 Coast Survey maps show anything on or near that spot on Sanchez. (Turn on the streets toggle at the bottom, or click for a snapshot.)

There was something a block over on what would become Noe & Elizabeth along with a few buildings on proto-Church, and of course the Rancho de San Miguel up the hill.

The mystery deepens as the 1886 Sanborn map seems to show that block as empty. And guess what? Even the 1900 map shows it as empty! Nothing shows up there until the 1915 map (and it is obviously the same building there today.)

However, street numbers changed on lots of blocks between 1900 and 1915. In fact, the house that’s currently at 1052-1056 Sanchez (a block south) was once numbered 1022-1024, and it popped up some sometime after 1886.

That still doesn’t explain 1848 though. Maybe someone was dyslexic and it’s supposed to be 1884? Or someone misread it as 1888? That, or real estate weasels rewriting history.

Anyway, the block number changes might account for some of the inaccuracies. But the data at a macro level is pretty damn interesting even with individual errors.

It awesome to get a little extra info for renovating (or planning too). If you are looking for some top notch tips, I also highly recommend checking Masterrenovator.com, he has good tips for things that can keep you out of trouble.