Redstone Labor Temple Building San Francisco 1 Editorial Image

When the Redstone Labor Temple Building opened in San Francisco in 1915 at a cost of $150,000, the equivalent of $4,500,000 today, it quickly became a hub of union organizing activity. Although some of the most fervent organizers were members of Communists affiliates, most of the union members never were. Both the Railroad strike of 1917 and Maritime strike of 1934 were organized through this building. When the building was dedicated, 7 September 1914, by former mayor PH McCarthy who was a fervent anti Asian and worked to keep all Asian immigrants out of the country. Theater Rhinoceros, or just 'The Rhino', founded in 1977, moved into this building in 1981. 'The Rhino', is not only the first openly gay theater to receive funding from the National Endowment for The Arts, it is the oldest and longest serving openly gay theater in the world. Work on there history themed murals, by the local arts collective CAMP, Clarion Mural Arts Project, had its very earliest beginnings in April 1996, and final dedication by mayor Willie Brown in January 1997. As enjoyed 16 October 2023.