A Cultural Touchstone on a City Wall
One of the small delights of travel is the discovery of oddball items that escape most of the guidebooks and travel stories. I’m reminded of how an old London friend liked to show his American visitors a bit of their own history just off St. James Street: A small brass plate next to a door on a minor mews that reads “Republic of Texas” and marks its unofficial embassy during that state’s brief fling as an independent nation, 1836-46.
But my favorite is a slightly larger plaque in San Francisco, which I rediscovered on a recent trip. It’s probably the only historic marker in the city that commemorates a fictitious event. As one among the millions who have seen Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade in the classic noir movie, The Maltese Falcon, I found something charming in the simple inscription you can see high on a wall at the entrance to a nondescript alleyway. Mystery novelist Dashiell Hammett was known for evoking great sense of place, and he wrote The Maltese Falcon with his customary precision, moving the plot through real San Francisco buildings and streets.
Warning, DO NOT READ FARTHER if you have never read or watched the Maltese Falcon, for the plaque mounted on the wall where Burritt Alley meets Bush Street reveals the plot:
“On approximately this spot Miles Archer, partner of Sam Spade, was done in by Brigid O’Shaugnessy.” That’s all. No attribution, no reference to Hammett or the Falcon, not even a credit to whoever put up the plaque. Just a sly cultural touchstone for us millions who know the story. It hangs in the private club where truth meets fiction, and we are all members. — Geotourism Editor Jonathan Tourtellot
Have a favorite hidden cultural touchpoint? Let us know in the comments.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital