The first Slovenian settlement in San Francisco began to develop in 1882. In 1885, the Slovenian settlement increased by a couple hundred new immigrants, who worked in various factories as hired laborers. In 1903, a Slovenian priest, Frances Turk, arrived and went to work to establish a Slovenian parish. When the great earthquake and fire hit San Francisco in 1906, destroying almost the entire city, the Slovenian immigrants fled toward the southern part of the city and settled on the then empty hill which they named “Kranjski Hrib.” The Slovenian community flourished on the “Hill” and beneficial societies and lodges soon were organized to support the newly established community of Slovenes residing there.

Educational and Dramatic Club Slovenia (Dramaticni in Izobrazevalni Klub Slovenia) was organized on October 15, 1922 with the intent of eventually purchasing a Slovenian meeting hall. The progress of Club Slovenia was attributed to Lodge Tabor Slovanov, S.N.P.J. Lodge 304, which financially backed the new Club.

Club Slovenia’s first endeavor was a play, “Krcmar pri Zvitem Rogu”, (“The Tavern by Zvitem Rogu”) presented on January 20, 1923. Further inspired by this Slovene cultural activity, action was taken to organize a Slovenian Library. The first books were donated by the Club founders, Andrew Leksan and Anthony Kastellic. With monies realized from the play and from the many dances held, and with the help of S.N.P.J. Lodge 304, more books were purchased in Slovene and English along with subscriptions to daily and weekly newspapers. By 1930, the Library boasted a total of 2,000 volumes.

In March 1923, the By-Laws of the newly organized Educational and Dramatic Club Slovenia were printed. After incorporation in May 1924, they began their earnest search for a Slovenian home and meeting place where Slovenes could pursue their cultural, educational, social and fraternalistic endeavors.

In October 1923, all Slovenian lodges joined in the production and presentation of a fund raising play for the future Slovenian Home and, in 1927, sent delegates to work with Club Slovenia and Tabor Slovanov to formulate plans for such a home.

A temporary Board of Directors of the proposed non-profit “Slovenian Progressive Home” concurred that the Home should be located in the midst of the Slovene community, which was on Potrero Hill in San Francisco and fondly called, “Kranjski Hrib”. A local utility company substation was for sale on the corner of Vermont and Mariposa Streets and was purchased for the price of $10,000 with a $500 down payment. Club Slovenia covered all expenses to finalize the agreement and also backed the venture until a sufficient number of shares ($10 each) were sold, $3,000 worth being sold in the first month. The remaining $6,500, also from the sale of shares to the Slovenian people, societies and lodges, was paid within 6 months.

Their “Home” was purchased but it was unusable; much remodeling had to be done. All labor was donated by members of the combined Societies and Lodges who spent long, tireless hours completing the tasks at hand. Within the first month, they remodeled an upstairs room to accommodate the Library, which was open once a week to members and friends who were delighted to be able to borrow books at no charge. Club Slovenia furnished the Library and Tabor Slovanov furnished equipment for the downstairs bar.

Activities at the Hall took hold. Plays, concerts, minstrel shows in Slovenian and English were held and a men’s chorus was established. Club Slovenia had their first Christmas party for the young children in December 1927. In July 1928, a one-week bazaar was held to celebrate the grand opening of the Slovenian Progressive Home. In addition to a car being raffled, there were games and entertainment. Anna Fabian (Judnich) was crowned Queen of the Home.

Club Slovenia organized a sports club, namely a baseball team, for the benefit of the young people. In addition to organizing a youth baseball team, Club Slovenia also furnished athletic equipment to be used in the Club’s large meeting hall by the young adults, including parallel bars, gymnastic horses and rings. In November 1930, they presented an athletic exhibition and invited the athletic club from the University of California at Berkeley. The exhibition motivated more young adults to join the Club’s athletic group.

Club Slovenia continues to promote and preserve its Slovenian heritage. A yearly Grape Festival (Vinska Trgatev) held in the Fall is a happy celebration of Slovenian food, music and dance that draws members and friends throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The Club continues to conduct Slovenian language classes.

With the addition of the freeway in 1950 and as the community became more mobile, the majority of Slovenians have moved from Potrero Hill to other parts of the City and the Bay Area. However, first, second, third and fourth generation Slovenes from miles around continue to gather at the Slovenian Progressive Home. Drawn by their loyalty to one another and by a fierce pride in their common heritage, they come to celebrate as one Slovenian-American people in the Hall on Kranjski Hrib.

Educational and Dramatic Club Slovenia has been a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational institution since March 1952 (Federal Tax I.D. 94-6104623).

Sources:

~ 50th Anniversary booklet of the Slovenian Progressive Home, 1927-1977

~ Diamond Jubilee booklet 1857-1932 – Slavonic Mutual & Benevolent Society of S.F.

~ Article written by Anna Fabian Judnich

~ Articles of Incorporation, Slovenian Progressive Home - as recorded by the Secretary of State