Outside Lands San Francisco

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

This week, we resume the topic of West Side Artists with guest, John Lindsey, owner of The Great Highway Gallery.

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 Conserv...

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 artist...

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 th...

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.

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.

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.

AP Giannini Middle School was one of many SF schools built in the 1950s to educate the growing baby boomer generation. Originally part of the Sunset Community Center, the school was named after a well known financier and San Francisco icon. This week, sharpen your #2 pencils as Nicole and Michael take you back to school.

For over eighty years, Stern Grove has served as a premier outdoor venue for music festivals. This week, Nicole and Michael explore the rich history of performances and who's on the calendar this Summer.

Today, we know the Olympic Club as an exclusive, members-only golf course and host to major tournaments. Like many things in San Francisco with 100+ year history, there are stories of financial gymnastics, crimes, and inspiration. Plus listener mail and upcoming virtual and in-person events.

When viewing images on OpenSFHistory.org, you may notice some of most memorable photos of early San Francisco are credited to either Carleton Watkins or Isaiah West Taber. As competitors, they photographed notable sites in the City, including the West Side, and have a surprising connection with one another.

The Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park has been THE event location for over a hundred years. After our June hiatus, Nicole and Michael return to tell the origin story and the major events that continue to be held there to this day. Anyone heard of Outside Lands?

The next time you visit or attend a concert at Stern Grove, take a short walk over to the Trocadero Clubhouse. In this week's repodcast, we learn how the Trocadero was happening hot spot, dating back to the early 1900s.

Residents of San Francisco have a wonderful resource for discovering the history of their home. In this repodcast, then SF City Assessor, Carmen Chu joins the POD to discuss the photos and historical records available to the public, and an exciting project with the library.