station 2: the photo

This photo, taken in 1904, was the only historic photo on these 7 Mile House walls when I bought the business in 2004. At that time, it was the only connection we had to its early past — the only proof that the 7 Mile House had any historical value. Then one day around 2006 while I was tending bar, a woman by the name of Bea Giusti came into 7 Mile House, sat at the bar and saw the photo, “I know this picture! This is my ancestor’s bar!” she said. She was a genealogist, one who had actively been researching about her family’s history.

Meeting Bea was a blessing. She gave me so much background about her family’s ownership and gave me many of the pictures that you see along this same wall to your right.

Now lets’ get back to that photo. You are looking at the Micheli and Testa families, the first known owners of the 7 Mile House. Notice the top right of the sign says E.Micheli, Prop. That was Bea’s great granduncle, Egidio. He’s the one in all white, while the man at his left was his partner and brother-in-law, Palmiro Testa.

Egidio bought 7 Mile House in 1903 when he was 24. At that time it was a saloon, restaurant and hotel. It quickly became a favorite meeting place for immigrants from their home town in Italy. Palmiro was the cook, Egidio the bartender and during their off hours, they would roll cigars. Business boomed and the saloon grew. A “ladies sitting room” was added to the building to accommodate women. The cigars they rolled in their spare time eventually became big business that Egidio moved on to the cigar and tobacco industry and set up shop on Grant Avenue in San Francisco. He sold his 7 Mile ownership to Palmiro in 1910.

By the way, notice that the picture says “since 1876”? Well, actually, I’ve traced 7 Mile House’s roots to 1858 when it first started as a lowly toll booth. If you haven’t yet, check out Station 1: The Map, to learn more.

Now let’s head over to Station 3 towards the main entrance. Stay inside the restaurant and head to the right side wall. You’ll know you’re there once you see a really interesting light switch.

station 3: the bar

station 1: the map

station 2: The Photo

Station 3: The Bar

Station 4: The Tattoo

station 5: the window

station 6: The Roadhouse

station 7: the patio