1855 Haight Street: From Streetcars to Records, a Haight-Ashbury Landmark Lives On
In the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, where tie-dye never really went out of style and the air still carries whispers of revolution, there stands a building with a surprising amount of history packed inside its walls. Today, it’s best known as the home of Amoeba Music, an independent record store that continues to thrive despite being able to access millions of songs on the phone in your pocket. But 1855 Haight Street has been many things over the past century, and each chapter tells a different story about San Francisco itself.
I can still remember the first time I went to Amoeba Music, shortly after moving to San Francisco in 2002. Going to a record store located in such an historic area when it comes to music history was an amazing experience. It was hard to believe that San Francisco was going to be my new home. Relocating to a city like San Francisco was almost overwhelming at first since there were so many things I wanted to see and do. The things that long time residents can sometimes take for granted because it just becomes part of daily life. Looking at the Golden Gate Bridge, seeing incredible views of the Bay from a random hill you are driving over, taking the ferry to Alcatraz, hopping on a cable car or spending a day in Fisherman’s Wharf are all something locals have access to every day. And that is pretty cool. After living here for over 20 years, I don’t really do any of these things anymore, but I probably should.
The Haight, however, was one of the places I was most excited about. The location of the Summer of Love, Jerry Garcia’s House, the Haight-Ashbury sign, Hippie Hill and, of course, Amoeba Music were all packed into a few blocks. You could spend that whole day there and still not see it all. There are so many historical layers to a lot of businesses that you may never know until you do a little research. So here is just a little bit of history about Amoeba Music and the storied location of 1855 Haight Street.
A Neighborhood That Changed a Generation
Haight-Ashbury is arguably one of the most significant neighborhoods in the United States. It’s a place that helped shape the identity of a generation. In the 1960s, it became the heart of the counterculture movement. Hippies, artists, musicians & free thinkers all found a home here. The “Summer of Love” in 1967 brought tens of thousands of young people to the area, drawn by ideas of peace, music and a different way of living.
It was also a place where boundaries were pushed and where culture shifted. Today you’ll find vintage clothing shops, quirky bookstores, colorful murals and Victorian homes with deep bay windows and ornate trim. Every corner has a story. And few buildings tell more stories than 1855 Haight Street.
The Car Barn Years
Before the music and the movement, 1855 Haight was something much more practical, a car barn for streetcars. In the early 1900s, the building was used as a storage and repair space for the city’s electric streetcars. Back then, public transportation was how the city moved. These streetcars were lifelines, and the Haight-Ashbury area was a growing hub for both residents and businesses.
The structure had the high ceilings and wide-open layout needed to house and service these large vehicles. Though the tracks are long gone, the bones of the building still echo that original purpose.
Park Bowl
Later, the building was transformed into something a bit more recreational, Park Bowl. For decades, it served as a neighborhood bowling alley.
Park Bowl was home to several gay and lesbian bowling leagues at a time when many public venues were less than welcoming. It became a gathering place where people could socialize, compete and find community. In a city that has long been a safe haven for queer culture, Park Bowl played a small part in building that history.
The Summer of Love
During the Summer of Love in 1967, the Haight was flooded with young people searching for something different. Park Bowl, like many local businesses, became a part of that scene. The bowling alley drew crowds looking to relax, hang out or just take a break from the chaos outside. Some say musicians and artists who lived nearby would stop in for a game or two, blending the strange mix of bowling shoes and bell bottoms in a way only Haight-Ashbury could pull off.
Despite the history of this well loved bowling alley, Park Bowl officially closed in August 1996, making way for a new Haight Street Icon.
Amoeba Music Arrives
In 1997, after Park Bowl closed its doors, Amoeba Music took over the space. Founded by music lovers who already had successful locations in Berkeley and later Hollywood, the new San Francisco shop quickly became a destination for collectors, casual listeners and crate diggers looking for a hidden gem.
Walking into Amoeba Music feels a little like walking into a time machine. Vinyl records line the walls. CDs are sorted into long, alphabetized bins. Posters from decades past decorate the space.
Even as digital downloads gave way to streaming, Amoeba kept going. While other record stores disappeared, Amoeba doubled down. The store became known not just for its massive inventory but also for its in-store performances, where bands big and small would play free shows in the middle of the sales floor. Over the years, artists like Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and DJ Shadow have graced its tiny stage.
A Living Piece of Haight-Ashbury
What’s remarkable about 1855 Haight Street is its ability to change with the times while holding on to its soul. From streetcars to bowling balls to turntables, the building has always served the needs of the community, whether they needed a way to get to work, a place to belong, or a soundtrack to their lives.
Today, Amoeba Music stands as a tribute to that history. It’s a place where you can still discover something new the old-fashioned way: by flipping through a bin of records and waiting for the right one to find you.
And in a neighborhood that has seen it all, that somehow feels just right.
