Coming to a SF street corner near you! Historic photos from OpenSFHistory.org are being taped to utility poles around the City. Joey Yee joins us to talk about being a proud participant in WNP's grass roots Guerrilla Historian initiative.
Reverend Thomas Starr King was a pivotal figure in San Francisco and California history. We resume our celebration of Golden Gate Park's 150th year and examine the Starr King monument and the man.
On clear days, the rocky contours of the Farallon Islands can be seen emerging from the horizon. This week, we venture 27 miles off shore to learn about the islands' past and present.
A hospital located off of Lake Street provided health care to US service members for over a hundred years. Former Park Ranger, historian, and author, John Martini tells us about the origins through the decommissioning of the USPHS Hospital.
Why are two German writers memorialized in Golden Gate Park? As part of our series of podcasts commemorating the Park's 150th Anniversary, we uncover the statue's origins as a cultural landmark.
Ray Bandar had a passion for bones. It was his collection featured at the 2014 CalAcademy exhibit "Skulls". Special guest, Lindsay Palaima worked with Ray, and visits the pod to share some stories about this unique San Francisco teacher and scientist.
Today's tony Sea Cliff neighborhood originated as a result of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. The very first house in Sea Cliff, located on 25th Avenue, fortunately still exists. Learn how this home came about and its first and subsequent occupants.
Following the devastation of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, thousands of refugee shacks were constructed and located at several locations of west side San Francisco. We mark the 114th anniversary of this pivotal event 2020-style.
Since the 1930s, Galli Construction has been a prominent builder of San Francisco residences. Galli built dozens of housing tracts and thousands of homes throughout the west side and is still in business to this day.
Founded in 1870, San Francisco celebrates Golden Gate Park's 150th birthday. Join Nicole, David, and Woody as they mark this historic occasion in their first remote recording session.
If you've been to the Outside Lands Music Festival, then you know the Polo Fields and Speedway Meadow. These open spaces both have storied histories. This classic episode continues our celebration of the Park's 150th Anniversary.
In March 2020, Golden Gate Park welcomed five new, year-old bison to the Paddock. In this classic episode, we revisit the Bison's arrival in the 1890s and their long history in the park.
Our Monumental Golden Gate Park event has been postponed. But to whet your appetite, we present a Classic Episode where David and Woody chat about their five favorite Golden Gate Park statues.
For St. Patrick's Day, we revisit an Outside Lands San Francisco classic episode: Elizabeth Creely visits to talk about Irish-American San Francisco, east and west side.
Today's Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences features the latest state-of-the-art digital technology. But when the Morrison Planetarium was built in 1952, it featured an optical star projector.
Tacoma Street is an enigmatic dead-end off 15th Avenue in the Richmond. Why are the lots so unusually angled?
In 2020, Argonne Elementary School celebrates the 100 year anniversary of its dedication in 1920. Near and dear to Western Neighborhoods Project, Woody shares a story of a his relative's connection to the school.
Did a railroad really run from Golden Gate Park down to Powell Street? There's a stand out remnant of the 1890-era Station on Fulton at 7th Ave.
Turn back the clock on major City thoroughfares like I280 or US101 and you'll often find a railway. Go further back in time and you could find its origins in a Spanish road. Learn what lies beneath the concrete.
McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park is impressive inside and out. Take a virtual audio tour of John McLaren's residence where he lived for 47 years.
Some surprising TV and movie stars were native to the west side of San Francisco. Learn the stories of a few of WNP's favorites.
Ninety years ago, the Camp Fire Girls Building was dedicated, beginning its long service shaping and educating both the girls and boys of San Francisco's West side.
The lodge has a long history of sheltering vulnerable women and children. Learn about the stately building and it's history of service to the community.
A fond look back at the momentous events, milestones, and change at Western Neighborhoods Project and OpenSFHistory.org in 2019.
Merced Heights was one of the few, post-war, housing developments to sell to African-American families in the 40s. Learn more about this lesser-known Heights located near San Francisco State University.
Before the big box stores, King Norman's Kingdom of Toys ruled. From its humble beginnings on Clement, the store grew into a toy empire including an amusement park and even a local TV show for kids.
The proximity of Nineteenth Avenue and Sloat Boulevard is teeming with history: Stern Grove, the Trocadero, Ardenwood, and the Scottish Rite Temple are just a few of the highlights discussed.
Francisco Heights was a 1930s public housing project that never was. Imagine 11 buildings for 2500 residents near present-day USF.
Today on WNP cemetery talk, we explore the history of the Masonic Cemetery on Lone Mountain, the disinterment in the 30s, and the encroachment by the University of San Francisco.
In a City under pressure for constant change, San Francisco Heritage protects and preserves the cultural and architectural legacy of this great city. Woody LaBounty recently joined the staff of SF Heritage and talks about his new role and organization.
