Where We Came From In November of 1912, Harry Kahn and Hugh Keville signed a lease on a small building on Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco's "Tire Row." Shortly thereafter Mr. Keville volunteered for service in the First World War and was posted to the Surveyor's Corps in France. He carried with him a pocket notebook in which he collected inspirational thoughts and maxims. When his duty ended, after horrific experiences in the Meuse Offensive, he returned home and continued collecting theses thoughts, which he posted on a chalkboard in his office. Theses sayings began such a popular tradition that in 1959 we built a theatre-type marquee at Turk and Larkin, displaying there quotations that we thought might engage the public. We claim no originality or profundity, but it has become a familiar landmark in the city. Herb Caen called it "San Francisco's biggest fortune cookie" and, for many years, altered his drive home in order to see what was up. The Associated Press recently termed the thoughts "quirky", while missing the point (in print) of the quotation then displayed. The board itself is flanked by our two splendid Goodyear "Diamond" neon signs from 1951. This arrangement has been a setting for fashion shoots, travelogues, and a fine Indie movie starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Don Cheadle. The sign once served as a marriage proposal (they’re still together) and the announcement of a mayoral campaign (he lost). What's your sign? We could have a good relationship.
Copyright © 2010 Kahn & Keville Tire and Auto Services. All rights reserved.