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Entrance lobby of the old Hippodrome, with Arthur Putnam's famous sculptures, undated

Two views of two of the bas-relief sculptures by Arthur Putnam at the Hippodrome.[CR]During this period the Midway, on the south side of Pacific Street near Montgomery Street, was one of the shabbiest dives on the Barbary Coast, but early in 1913 it came under the management of George Kelley, better known as Red Kelley, and for several years thereafter it was one of the most pretentious resorts in the district. It was also a favorite haunt of the sightseers, for Kelley was an accomplished showman and could always be depended upon to provide entertainment calculated to thrill and to shock the outlander. For a considerable period the bright particular star of his variety programs was a fat Salome dancer appropriately called Gyp. She performed the sensual twistings and writhings of a muscle dance in a very lascivious manner, but the effect of her contortions was less exhilarating than it might have been because from start to finish of the dance her face was wreathed in a sweet, infantile smile. In later years the name of the Midway was changed to Hippodrome, and finally it was called the U. S. Café, while another Hippodrome was opened directly across the street by Frank Scivio. It was during the Midway’s days as the Hippodrome that new decorations, by far the finest and most celebrated ever seen on the Barbary Coast, were installed in its entrance lobby—six bas-relief panels in plaster, depicting a group of satyrs happily and purposefully pursuing as many nymphs, with anatomical details all complete. These details, however, aroused such a storm of shocked comment that they were eventually removed, and the areas in dispute were covered by bands of ribbon, done in reddish plaster, which trailed upward over the shoulders of both nymphs and satyrs. The figures were the work of Arthur Putnam, who later became one of America’s most noted sculptors. According to one story, his only compensation was a few drinks, but according to another—and probably the correct one—he was paid $175 for the job.

U. S. National Park Service

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San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Code: SAFR

NPS Museum Number Catalog : SAFR 21374
Local Park number : P93-065, Series 1, File Unit 12, Item A12.06397

San Francisco Maritime Museum classified photograph collection, 1575-1984
San Francisco Maritime Digital Museum Archival Collection

Title: Guide to the San Francisco Maritime Museum classified photograph collection, 1575-1984 located on the Online Archives of California website.
URL: http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8hm5f30/

09/27/2016

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San Francisco Maritime Museum

Organization: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Address: 2 Marina Boulevard, Building E, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, California 94123
Email: safr_maritime_library@nps.gov

Saturday, January 21, 2017 12:13:58 AM

Saturday, January 21, 2017 12:13:58 AM

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Monday, January 1, 0001 12:00:00 AM

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Scenic , Historic

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