Bell Mansion

Unfinished History

Westaddi$bell-mansion-1928.jpg

The Bell Mansion at Bush and Octavia, about to be demolished in this 1928 picture, hosted much intrigue between Thomas Bell and Mary Ellen Pleasant, the infamous 'Voodoo Queen' of early San Francisco. This same corner later became home to a Planned Parenthood Clinic.

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

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These are the same eucalyptus trees visible at left in older image, now more than a century old.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Old-Bell-Home--Photo-was-taken-Jany-1925.-House-built-about-1870.-J.B.-Cook-at-the-corner.jpg

Old Bell Home, January 1925. The house dates to about 1870. Jesse Brown Cook at corner in photo.

Photo: Jesse Brown Cook collection, online archive of California

This-house-joines-the-Old-Bell-home-SW-cor-Bush-and-Octavia-Sts--Photo-taken-Jany-1925-JB-Cook-in-front-I0050629A.jpg

This house joins the old Bell Mansion on the southwest corner of Bush and Octavia Streets, January 1925, with Jesse Brown Cook in front.

Photo: Jesse Brown Cook collection, online archive of California I0050629A

Mary-Ellen-Pleasant-mansion-on-Bush-and-Octavia-full-lot-view-via-Doris-M.jpg

Bell/Pleasant Mansion on Bush and Octavia with the full lot, late 19th century.

Photo: courtesy Doris M. on Facebook

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Building occupying the same corner in 2016.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

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