20 January 2015

The San Francisco Columbarium is located in the Inner Richmond: 20 January 2015

San Francisco has had an interesting history concerning its deceased residents. When gold was discovered in 1849, the gold rush was the catalyst for the beginning of a tremendous influx of people to San Francisco. Many individuals who arrived in San Francisco via sailing ships immediately went to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada where gold was discovered. Some of the immigrants stayed in San Francisco, and some of the men who went to find gold returned to San Francisco. Whatever the case, the population of San Francisco, grew. With an increase in population comes an increase in the number of people who die. It, therefore, became necessary for San Francisco to find additional places to bury the deceased. All eyes turned to the "Outside Lands," the area now known as the Richmond District, the Sunset District, and the Lone Mountain District. The Outside Lands were covered by sand dunes, had few residents, few roads, and no public transportation.

Five large cemeteries were built on the Outside Lands, in what is now known as the Lone Mountain District:

The (San Francisco) City Cemetery was built on the Outside Lands in what is now known as the Outer Richmond.
Two Jewish Cemeteries were built in the Mission District on what is now known as Mission Dolores Park.

A view of the San Francisco Columbarium as seen from Loraine Court.

A map of the locations of the five cemeteries in what is now known as the Lone Mountain District. The cemetery sites are now covered by houses, apartments, stores, roads and a college.

 As the population continued to increase San Francisco required more buildings to accommodate the rising population. Since San Francisco is located at the tip of a peninsula, the amount of useable land is finite. Starting in 1900, San Francisco did not allow any more burials within the city limits. Most people who died after 1900 were buried in Colma, a small town south of San Francisco. Colma has a current population of approximately 1,800 people... And it also has more than two million bodies buried in or stored on, the many cemeteries that are located within Colma. Starting in the early Twentieth Century, San Francisco proceeded to remove the remains of the deceased from the cemeteries in the city. More than 50,000 human remains were removed from San Francisco and reinterred in one of the numerous cemeteries located in Colma. After the bodies had been removed, homes, apartments, stores, schools, and parks were constructed on the sites of the former cemeteries.

The San Francisco Columbarium was designed by Bernard J. Cahill, a British architect. It was constructed in 1897 and was open to the public in 1898. The Columbarium was built on land that was part of the 168 acres Odd Fellows' Cemetery. Of the five cemeteries that were once located in the Richmond District, the San Francisco Columbarium is now the only remaining structure. 
About four months ago, I became aware that the San Francisco Columbarium was still standing; it was on my list of places to visit. As I was heading east on Geary Boulevard, I saw the Columbarium. I soon met Emmitt Watson, who has been the caretaker of the Columbarium for the past 28 years. He is a pleasant man, and he provided me with information about the Columbarium.
If you are interested in visiting the Columbarium, please note that the entry is on Loraine Court.

An interior view of the San Francisco Columbarium's copper-covered roof.

A happy man is feeding the birds at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park.

A detail of the Spreckels Temple of Music, aka the "Bandshell." It was built in 1899 and named for Claus Spreckels. It is located within Golden Gate Park.

Two gorgeous Nineteenth Century homes located on California Street.

An attractive apartment building which appears to have been built in the 1920s or 1930s. It is located on California Street.

Old Saint Mary's Cathedral was built in 1854. When it opened, it was the tallest building in San Francisco and all of California. Under the clock face appears the words "Son, Observe the Time and Fly from Evil." This statement was aimed at the men who frequented the surrounding brothels during the 1850s. The building is located on the northeast corner of California Street and Grant Avenue.

A map of the route. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 8.6 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 584 feet. Mile markers are shown on the course’s track.

This graph shows the elevation changes encountered during the ramble.

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com.    

27 December 2014

The site of the Mill Valley Air Force Station, located on the summit of Mount Tamalpais: 27 December 2014

I explored the abandoned Mill Valley Air Force Station. The majority of the buildings have been demolished and removed.


A view of the Mill Valley Air Force Station as seen from a plane in 1956. It was an active base at that time. The view is looking east; Mount Diablo is in the distance. Also seen is the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge which opened in 1956.




The route of the hike. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 8.3 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 1,603 feet.

This graph shows the elevation changes encountered during the ramble.

The summit of West Peak. It is now used as a FAA aircraft radar site. This location was the tallest point on Mount Tamalpais until it was bulldozed and flattened to accommodate the Air Force Station.
The remains of the Officer's Quarters.
The remains of the mess hall.
The remains of the vehicle repair facility.
The remains of officer family housing.

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com.


20 December 2014

Alameda, an island city with many homes dating from the Nineteenth Century: 20 December 2014

On Saturday 20 December I joined a  group of people for a hike in the City of Alameda. We viewed some of the homes in the city, most of which were constructed in the late nineteenth century. We also saw the beautifully decorated homes on "Christmas Tree Lane," aka Thompson Avenue. 
The city of Alameda was founded in 1853; it is sited on an island, and it has a population of approximately 75,000. The city is located in the eastern portion of San Francisco Bay and is adjacent to Oakland. 
In 1938 Congress approved the construction of a naval air station in the Northwest part of Alameda Island. In April 1942 the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-08) sailed from Alameda Naval Air Station carrying 16 B-25 aircraft that would take part in the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Alameda Naval Air Station closed in April 1997.


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Two charming sisters, and their rabbit, at Franklin Park. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.
The walking group is receiving information about the Christmas decoration on "Christmas Tree Lane." Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.
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The map of the route. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 7.3 miles. Mile markers are displayed on the track. Click on the image to see the full-size map.



“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”-Dorothea Lange

You are welcome to visit my primary website  www.mishalov.com

07 December 2014

Across San Francisco, thru the Tenderloin, and into Downtown: 7 December 2014

I walked across San Francisco from west to northeast on a cloudy Sunday. 
I started the walk near the San Francisco Zoo; just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean. I then headed north through the Sunset District, crossed through Golden Gate Park, and entered the Richmond District. I then continued on Geary Boulevard, traveling east through the Anza Vista District and the Western Addition Neighborhood. I stopped in Japantown for a bite to eat. Afterwhich, I continued east on Post Street and entered the Tenderloin District. After the Tenderloin, I entered the Union Square area and then finished the walk at the Ferry Building.

Click on an image to view the full-size photograph.
This apartment building is located at 1036 Polk Street. It has 36 living units.
The map of the route. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 10.7 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 567 feet. Mile markers are shown on the route’s track. 
This graph shows the elevation changes encountered during the ramble. 
This street fire alarm box is located on Anza Street in the Richmond District. The alarm box was manufactured in 1912 by the no longer operational San Francisco Department of Electricity. This fire alarm box is still in service 102 years after it was put into operation. 
This lovely 19th Century duplex is located at 1406/1408 Post Street in Japantown
The site of the California Pacific Medical Center hospital is currently under construction. The photograph shows the amount of excavation that has taken place for the below-ground area of the building. The project occupies an entire city block surrounded by Van Ness Avenue, Geary Boulevard, Post Street, and Franklin Street. The new 304-bed hospital opened in 2019. 
This building is located at 1151 Post Street. It is one of the many SRO (single room occupancy) apartment buildings/hotels located in the Tenderloin District. The building was constructed in 1910, and it has 20 units. 
San Francisco Fire Department Station #3 is located at 1067 Post Street. A fire engine is leaving on a call. 
The Hartland Hotel is located at 909 Geary Street; the cross street is Larkin Street. This SRO hotel provides 137 housing units. 
I am now in Downtown San Francisco. This is a photograph of Lotta’s Fountain; it is located on Market Street and it was dedicated on 9 September 1875. The cast-iron sculpture with a drinking fountain at its base was donated to San Francisco by the entertainer Lotta Crabtree.  It served as a meeting point during the aftermath of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. In 1999 the fountain, which had suffered neglect in the past decades, was totally refurbished to its 1875 appearance. The fountain has a metallic gold-brown paint finish. 
A detail from Lotta’s Fountain. It depicts miners searching for gold in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. 
The Hobart Building, located on Montgomery Street in the Financial District, was completed in 1914 after a construction period of only 11 months. The architect was Willis Polk. The building was designated as a landmark by the City of San Francisco in 1983. 

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com 

19 October 2014

The Presidio Army Base and the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco: 19 October 2014

I read that the Presidio Trust would be opening the Presidio Officers’ Club on 7 October 2014 as a showcase for illuminating the rich history of the Presidio. “The Presidio was a military post for more than 200 years, first for Spain in 1776, then for Mexico in 1822, and finally for the United States Army from 1846 to 1994.” Today the Presidio is a National Historic Landmark. I decided to visit the Presidio Officers’ Club and see the exhibits. I walked to the Presidio from the Montgomery Street BART Station.


Click on an image to view the full-size photograph.
The Palace of Fine Arts was constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.The Palace of Fine Arts was designed by the esteemed architect Bernard Maybeck (1862-1957). Professor Maybeck moved to Berkeley, California in 1892, and was a professor at the University of California, Berkeley


This map illustrates the route traveled, with mile markers shown. The approximate distance traveled, as measured by a GPS receiver, was 10.9 miles. Click on the image to see the full-size map.
This graph shows the elevation changes encountered during the ramble. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 805 feet. Click on the image to see the full-size chart.
A view of the Presidio’s Lombard Street gate. The picture was taken during World War II from an apartment building located across the street from the Presidio. The convoy of ambulances traveling to Letterman Army Hospital is a grim reminder of the carnage that was taking place during the war. The hospital treated 73,000 patients from the Pacific Theatre of Operations in 1945 alone.
A present day view of the Lombard Street gate. 
A view of the 6th Army Headquarters building. 
A view of the Presidio Officers’ Club building. 
A view of Moraga Hall, which is located in the Officers’ Club. 
A photo of Moraga Hall taken in 1934.
This flagpole has a sad history. The 2¼ ton, 105½ foot flagpole is the tallest in the San Francisco area. The flagpole marks the site where General John J. Pershing (1860-1948) his wife, his three young daughters, and his young son lived in government housing befit a General. 

On 13 January 1914, General Pershing took command of the 8th Infantry Brigade at the Presidio of San Francisco. It wasn’t long, however, before tensions along the Mexican border forced the 8th Infantry to be transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas. 

While her husband was at Fort Bliss, Mrs. Francis Pershing, and the four children remained at the family’s two-story Victorian house at the Presidio. Tragedy struck on Friday 27 August 1915, when hot coals spilled from the hearth of the Pershing home and onto the highly waxed floor. The house was quickly consumed by flames; Mrs. Pershing and her three daughters—Helen Elizabeth, aged eight, Ann Orr, aged seven, and Mary Margaret, aged three—perished in the blaze. Only five-year-old Warren survived after being rescued by Pershing’s orderly. The General’s wife and three daughters were buried in Wyoming, the state where she was born in 1880. After the funeral, General Pershing returned to Texas accompanied by his son and his sister.
Warren, General Pershing’s only surviving child, served in the Second World War as an advisor to Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall. Warren Pershing (1909-1980) attained the rank of Colonel. He had two sons Richard (1942-1968) and John (1941-1999). Richard was an Army Second Lieutenant, who was killed in action in Vietnam on 17 February 1968. John attained the rank of Colonel in the Army. He died of cardiovascular disease in 1999. 

The house the Pershing family lived in while at the Presidio. This picture shows the remains of the house after the deadly 27 August 1915 fire. Pershing’s five-year-old son Warren was the only child to survive the blaze; he was rescued through the window indicated by the arrow.
A snippet of an article about the tragedy published by the Chicago Daily Tribune on 28 August 1915. 
A view of the Golden Gate Bridge as seen from near the Presidio’s Main Parade Ground. The building in the lower portion of the photograph was the post’s main commissary


A detail from the Palace of Fine Arts. 
The entryway to 3460 Baker Street, a private home. It is sited directly east of the Palace of Fine Arts. 
It is now late afternoon, and the fog is barreling in through the Golden Gate. The view is looking North. The buildings on the hillside across San Francisco Bay are homes in the community of Sausalito. The mountain directly ahead is majestic Mount Tamalpais (2,572 feet). 

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com