460: Photographer Christine Huhn
Nicole sits down for an oral history conversation with photographer, Christine Huhn.
Jun 11, 2022•53 min
Outside Lands San Francisco
Nicole Meldahl and a rotating cast of hosts from the Western Neighborhoods Project (outsidelands.org / OpenSFHistory.org) share San Francisco west side neighborhood history with humor, a real fact or two, and much-better-informed occasional guests.
Episodes
459: Charles Looff and the Hippodrome
In the early days, Playland's carousel was called the Hippodrome. The oceanside attraction has an intriguing history and a wonderful happy ending.
Jun 04, 2022•34 min
458: Mountain Lake Park
We visited Mountain Lake waaaay back in WNP Podcast #76. Now we tackle the park around it. Mountain Lake Park as we know it today, has evolved over its 150 year span as one of the City's oldest recreational areas. Link to Podcast #76: bit.ly/WNPPOD076
May 28, 2022•56 min
457: Meet WNP Board Members
Nicole hosts a conversation with two WNP Board members, Eva Laflamme and Carissa Tonner who share their backgrounds and enthusiasm for San Francisco history. We pull back the veil on how Board members contribute their talents, ideas, and energy to support the nonprofit Western Neighborhoods Project.
May 21, 2022•1 hr 8 min
338: The Hot House at Playland (Repodcast)
Continuing the Playland theme to dovetail with WNP's 2022 Gala event, we revisit a beloved purveyor of "Mexican" food, the Hot House. Located along the Great Highway, the Hot House was an early innovator of thematic dining.
May 14, 2022•30 min
136: Playland at the Beach (Repodcast)
To dovetail with this year's Playland theme for the WNP 2022 Gala, we present a repodcast of our Playland at the Beach episode with Woody & David as your hosts. Even nearly 50 years since its demise, there's still a fascination for the long lost amusement area. And OpenSFHistory.org has pictures galore for your viewing pleasure: https://bit.ly/OpenSFPlayland
May 07, 2022•24 min
456: Eadweard Muybridge - Part 2
We conclude the saga of Eadweard Muybridge. At the end of part 1, we left our famous photographer hero bursting in on a card game to confront his wife's lover. What happens next? Visit OpenSFHistory.org to see our collection of Muybridge images: https://bit.ly/emuybridge
Apr 30, 2022•53 min
455: Eadweard Muybridge - Part 1
The "interesting" life of early San Francisco photographer, Eadweard Muybridge, sounds like a great pitch for a movie. This is a rare, two part WNP podcast where Nicole and Arnold cover Muybridge's early years. And be sure not to miss part 2. Visit OpenSFHistory.org to see our collection of Muybridge images: https://bit.ly/emuybridge
Apr 23, 2022•51 min
454: Oral History with Adrianne Vincent
Native San Franciscan, author, and special guest, Adrianne Vincent, joins Nicole to share her memories of the West Side. Adrianne recalls personal anecdotes relating to several recent Western Neighborhoods Project podcasts like the SNACK Concert, Baker Beach, Anton Levay, and more.
Apr 16, 2022•1 hr 9 min
177: Lowell High School (Repodcast)
Continuing the school theme, this week, we repodcast an episode on Lowell High School. It wasn't always located near Stonestown and Lake Merced.
Apr 09, 2022•18 min
453: Herbert Hoover Middle School
Hoover Junior High (as it was called back then), was one of dozens of schools built in the West Side of San Francisco to educate the Boomer generation of kids. This week, Nicole and Arnold tell us about the bumpy journey to build "Sunset Junior High".
Apr 02, 2022•49 min
452: SNACK Concert at Kezar Stadium
We celebrate the anniversary of the SNACK concert at Kezar Stadium. SNACK, or Students Need Athletics, Culture and Kicks. It was conceived by rock music impresario, Bill Graham, to raise money for San Francisco school sports and arts programs. Nicole & Arnold share the tale of the event that featured a who's who of the SF music scene and celebrity speakers. For concert photos visit: https://bit.ly/OpenSFHistorySNACK
Mar 26, 2022•34 min
451: Virtual Paddle Out for Bill Hickey
Bill Hickey opened his surfboard shop in 1964 on the West Side and was one of the central figures in Kelly's Cove. In honor of Bill's recent passing, WNP hosted a Virtual Paddle Out. We have a bevy of guests, including some Kelly's Covers, to share their fond recollections and stories of Bill.
Mar 19, 2022•1 hr 6 min
450: Fire(s) on Point Lobos Avenue
The history of beloved buildings on Point Lobos Avenue seems inextricably linked to fire. John Martini joins Nicole & Arnold to describe the conflagrations that destroyed cherished west side attractions like the Cliff House (twice!) and Sutro Baths.
Mar 12, 2022•42 min
449: The Case of Ephraim Merida
Ephraim Merida, a former slave brought to California in 1850, found himself in the middle of a lawsuit contesting the ownership of the land he called home for over 15 years. Nicole and Arnold tell the convoluted legal saga for property near Lone Mountain.
Mar 05, 2022•44 min
195: San Francisco History Association (Repodcast)
In this classic episode, we fondly remember our dear friend, Ron Ross, inveterate collector and founder of the San Francisco History Association. Ron joined the pod in 2016 to tell us his origin story, about his collection of San Francsico ephemera, and recall the founding of the San Francisco History Association.
Feb 26, 2022•26 min
448: Presidential Visits to the Outside Lands
Attention is always lavished on US Presidents when they visit Downtown SF. But it's even more notable when they travel to the West Side. WNP Board President, Arnold Woods, shares his research for an article he penned on presidential visits to the Outside Lands.
Feb 19, 2022•59 min
447: Bernice Rodgers
To help celebrate Black History Month, we welcome Nancy Botkin - who tells us about the remarkable Bernice Rodgers. Bernice was a ground-breaking Rec and Park employee whose was later honored with street named after her in Golden Gate Park.
Feb 12, 2022•46 min
446: Thorsten Sideboard
This week, we are treated to an Oral History with special guest, Thorsten Sideboard. A local Sunset artist, Thorsten created Western Neighborhoods Project's first activity book for children on the life of Adolph Sutro and WNP's Cliff House Collection.
Feb 05, 2022•1 hr 2 min
445: Keepers of the Steps
This week's podcast celebrates 150 years of Irish dance in San Francisco with a trio of special guests: Anne Cassidy Carew, Eileen Mize, and Jamie O’Keefe. They tell us about the United Irish Cultural Center's exhibition called "Keepers of the Steps".
Jan 29, 2022•44 min
444: Olympic Club Hike N Dip
It's the New Year and what better way to start it off than to take a dip in the frigid waters of Ocean Beach. Special guest, Jessica Smith, joins Nicole and Michael to explain the origins of the Olympic Club Hike 'N Dip.
Jan 22, 2022•47 min
443: Santa Claus Association
Unlike today's SantaCon, Mabel Hawkin's Santa Claus Association does not involve scores of drunken Kris Kringles. Instead, the Association was a charity group that distributed thousands of gifts to San Francisco's children. This week, Nicole and Michael provide the inspiring story behind this groundbreaking endeavor.
Dec 25, 2021•44 min
442: West Side Art and Artists
This week, we resume the topic of West Side Artists with guest, John Lindsey, owner of The Great Highway Gallery.
Dec 11, 2021•55 min
441: The Museum at The Cliff
If you haven't already visited the Museum at The Cliff, where we are displaying many of the Cliff House and Sutro Baths historical items successfully won at action - get to it! We're open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 - 4:00 PM located at the Cliff House Gift Shop. The Museum would not have been possible but for the herculean effort by our podcast guests: Alexandra Mitchell of ACT Art Conservation and John Lindsey of The Great Highway gallery in collaboration with Western Neighborhoods Proj...
Nov 27, 2021•59 min
440: GGIE art at City College of San Francisco
As a World's Fair, the Golden Gate International Expo, held on Treasure Island in 1939-40, brought together exhibits from all over the globe. One exhibit featured artists (both notable and unknown) creating their art, some of which visitors could actually purchase. Some of the commissioned works were destined to be displayed at City College. This week, Nicole and Michael talk about the GGIE artists and their work on display at CCSF.
Nov 13, 2021•40 min
178: 50th Anniversary of the Sutro Baths Fire (Repodcast)
Have you visited our Museum at The Cliff? Through mid-April 2022, see artifacts from the Cliff House and Sutro Baths, now on display (Thurs-Sun) in our free pop up museum at the former Cliff House Gift Shop. Some pieces were saved, first from the fire at the Sutro Baths (the topic of this podcast) and again more recently when a fundraising effort allowed Western Neighborhoods Project to acquire these items at auction.
Nov 06, 2021•22 min
265: Sutro Women (Repodcast)
Museum at the Cliff is now open! Our pop up museum is open Friday-Monday (11:00 - 4:00 PM) at the former Cliff House gift shop until mid-April 2022. https://www.outsidelands.org/Event/500. In celebration (and because we're crazy busy) we're repodcasting Cliff House and Adoph Sutro-related episodes. This week's podcast is on Adolph Sutro's women.
Oct 24, 2021•27 min
386: The Cliff House Project (Repodcast)
In celebration of the upcoming Fall 2021 opening of WNP's Museum at the Cliff and assuming stewardship of the Cliff House Project web site (www.cliffhouseproject.com), we're repodcasting this episode with the site's founder, Gary Stark to talk about his organization and share some fascinating facts about the ever evolving, west side landmark.
Oct 09, 2021•33 min
439: Pacific Rod and Gun Club
Not long ago, the sound of shotguns echoed around Lake Merced. Until 2015, skeet shooting at the Pacific Rod & Gun Club was a regular occurrence. This week, Nicole and Michael explore the Club's origins and colorful history on the shores of Lake Merced.
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr
438: Miniature Mansions Makers
Elizabeth Larke Blodgett, mother and passionate supporter of returning Great War soldiers, took her doll house making hobby to incredible levels. One masterpiece miniature house, has been featured at the Emporium downtown and at the Cliff House, Nicole and Michael are joined by a very special guest and Elizabeth's granddaughter, Janet Dyer.
Sep 11, 2021•1 hr 8 min
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