Third Street Stroll – and beyond

by Rochelle Metcalfe

KEEP ON KEEPIN’ TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE SAM AND RUTH JORDAN IN CELEBRATION OF THE 57TH ANNIVERSARY of the legendary SAM JORDAN’S Bar, located in the Bayview on Third Street, across from the Bayview shopping mall. PROUD the family continues in the tradition set forth by their parents, who passed several years ago.

Sam-Jordan-212x300, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Handsome Sam Jordan stands next to a poster from his boxing career.

Sam’s is the OLDEST standing Black-owned club in the City. Doors opened in 1959 on an undeveloped, unpaved dirt road, pedestrians walked on wooden planks – no sidewalks, area referred to as BUTCHERTOWN because of the stink of livestock, meatpacking plants, slaughter houses.

Charismatic SAM JORDAN was a diehard community activist. 1963 FIRST African American candidate to run for San Francisco mayor, UNSUCCESSFUL, and how he became known as the Mayor of Butchertown!

KEEP ON KEEPIN’ TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE SAM AND RUTH JORDAN IN CELEBRATION OF THE 57TH ANNIVERSARY of the legendary SAM JORDAN’S Bar.

Ah, Sam was feisty, handsome, hailed from Diboll, Texas, the former PRIZE FIGHTER found fame and fortune with help of his beautiful wife, RUTH, built the club into a popular joint where the good times rolled! Black folks enjoyed life, jobs, many settled in the area and beyond, to work the shipyards.

A younger set has made Sam’s their happening place. A NEW ERA USHERED IN – some following in the footsteps of their parents who made Sam’s their spot!

I RECALL some good times at SAM’S when I started frequenting the spot, writing about the happenings! Loved the vibes, and, on occasions, Sam getting on the mike singing Stevie Wonder’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.” He had a pretty good voice. When he was alive, the political elite came to the club to partake of his African inspired foods and conversation. Sam’s definitely a part of Bayview Third Street BLACK HISTORY!

Espanola-Jackson-files-for-Dist-10-supervisor-010206-c-by-Luke-Thomas, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Espanola Jackson, activist and advocate extraordinaire, files on Jan. 2, 2006, to run for District 10 Supervisor. – Photo: ©Luke Thomas

The LEGENDARY BAR IS STILL DA PLACE!!! ON the scene Saturday, Jan. 23, for the 57TH anniversary party which started early, lasting until closing. Missed seeing many of the oldtimers – some have passed on or just stay home. CLYDE COLEN and the Jordan family greeted folks like FAMOUS 3-STREET realtor, J.Y.. and his lovely lady Gwen; MRS., YES, MRS. ERNESTINE HARDY BRIGHAM now MRS. WILLIE BEASLEY, LOOKING GOOD, married Dec. 16, 2015!!! Congratulations to the couple; ANITA HINES, BOBBIE MATHIS, “CARWASH” BEN; MIXOLOGIST NEISY– SHARPEST DRESSED BARTENDER IN THE CITY!!! BY THE WAY – THE LIVE JAZZ MUSIC WAS HAPPENING – suggested to Allen to schedule a weekly FRIDAY NIGHT HAPPENING!!!

R.I.P. GOODBYE SWEET LADY! Early Saturday evening of Jan. 9, called DR. ESPANOLA JACKSON at her Bayview home to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, left a message on her recorder – never knew if she received my call – SHAKEN as I meet column deadline to find this GREAT LADY left us early in the morning of Sunday, Jan. 24. My prayers and condolences to her family! SLEEP WELL SWEET LADY, FOR YOU FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT WHILE HERE AMONG US!!!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE … LOOK FOR ME … I’LL BE HERE…

Rochelle Metcalfe can be reached at iheard@earthlink.net.