San Francisco's most infamous, secretive men's club was originally founded by bonafide bohemians – but they couldn't afford the upkeep, so they allowed the ultra-rich to join. Today's member roster lists an odd mix of power elite and artists: apparently both George W Bush and Greatful Dead frontman Bob Weir are current members. On the Post St side of the ivy-covered club, look for the plaque honoring Gold Rush–era author Bret Harte, which depicts characters from his works.
On the plaque's extreme right is 'The Heathen Chinee.' It's not a racist attack, but a reference to the eponymous 1870 satirical poem Harte wrote mocking anti-Chinese sentiment in Northern California. Ironically, the poem had the opposite effect, and became a rallying cry against Chinese immigration.
