The park was originally named Mission Park, to honor the small adobe building at 16th and Dolores Street called Mission San Francisco de Asis, better known as Mission Dolores. It is the city's oldest surviving structure.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> In 1905, the city purchased two blocks in the Mission district for about $300,000 to create a public park. Its former owners were two Jewish congregations--the site housed a Jewish cemetery until 1894, when the land became too valuable for burials.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> When the 1906 earthquake struck, the park became a refuge for more than 1600 families who had lost their homes. Camps quickly sprouted throughout the park, and many remained until the summer of 1908.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> From Collier's Weekly, dated May 15, 1906.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> Image dated May 15, 1906. Written on back: "SW from 18th & Dolores."<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> From Collier's Weekly, 1906. Titled "A woman and some children at Mission Park Refugee Camp."<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> In 1917, the city began running the J line streetcar along the park, bringing more visitors. Here, a view of the park from May 15, 1935.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> Jurors in the trial of Ramon Rodriguez, who admitted to beating 16-year-old Hilda Rosa Pagan by the park bandstand in the spring of 1952. Pagan's body was found in a hole behind the shrubbery to the right.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> This newspaper image from Oct. 18, 1954 ran with the caption "HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS--Who are the good kids?"<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> Since the 1960s, Dolores Park has been a neighborhood magnet for cultural and political expression. The San Francisco Mime Troupe has performed here for 25 years. Above, a group of young picnickers in May 1973.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Courtesy the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection</span> From the 18th annual San Francisco Dyke March, which kicked off with a rally at 18th and Dolores on June 26, 2010.<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Flickr/Steve Rhodes</span> <span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Flickr/Jasper Gregory</span> Santa's snowball fight, Santacon 2008<span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Flickr/Steve Rhodes</span> <span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Flickr/a tree is nice</span> <span class='em small'><br/>Credit: Flickr/Yoav Lerman</span>