Outside Lands San Francisco

We take another virtual stroll down a Richmond District business corridor, Balboa Street. Where else but on this Pod can you visit both beloved, but lost businesses and learn about those that endure to this day? Become a WNP member and join us on the live podcast each week, plus other great benefits of membership. http://outsidelands.org

Roy Graves started with his interest in SF history and developed it into a vast collection of images, memorobelia, and historical knowledge. Learn how Roy's passion became an inspiration for local historians like Western Neighborhoods Project.

Today, most of the area's developments have been subsumed by the Forest Hill neighborhood. But in the early 1900s, different developers constructed their own residential neighborhoods. WNP Board Member and residential parks historian, Richard Brandi joins the Pod to tell the stories of these microhoods.

We know about the life of Zero Thomas, thanks to an amazing discovery at a landfill. Thomas was an African American soldier stationed at the Presidio around 1870. And through his trove of papers, we can tell his story living as a black family in the early days of San Francsisco.

Clement Street in the Richmond retains the charm of a San Francisco neighborhood where local businesses are an integral part of the community. This week, Nicole, David, and Michael take a virtual stroll down the eastern end of Clement to highlight some of the many long-standing businesses located there.

Adolph Sutro's vast wealth enabled his passion for collecting. Dr. Lissette Jimenez, Egyptologist at SF State University joins the Nicole, David, and John to describe the breadth and depth of Sutro's acquisitions. From mummies to books to amusement rides, there were virtually no limits to Sutro's eclectic collection.

The neighborhoods of the West Side would not be the same without their local movie theatre and we have the Levin Family to thank for them, from the Alexandria to the Coliseum to the beloved Balboa and many more... Nicole, Arnold & David tell the story of this arts-devoted family. Plus an all-star live audience Listener Mail.

That the west side of San Francisco was covered in sand dunes will come as no surprise to regular listeners. Michael Lange joins Nicole and David to tell us how the City transformed the expanse of sandy, wind swept land into the Richmond and Sunset we know today.

Ocean Beach in the 60s & 70s was a time like no other. Special guest, and native West-sider, Paul Judge joins co-host John Martini to regale us with their first-hand recollections of the places, people, and events of the beach, Playland, and environs.

Civil rights activist and lawyer, Terry Francois had a prominent role in challenging racial covenants throughout the West Side. New co-host, Arnold Woods tells us how Francois worked to help desegregate housing in San Francisco.

As if Playland, the Cliff House, and Sutro Baths was not enough of an entertainment selection, nearby Merrie Way provided even more thrills. New recurring co-host, John Martini helps us understand how the area around Point Lobos Road evolved.

As 2020 comes to a close, we bid a fond farewell to podcast co-host, Woody LaBounty. After 8 years and over 400 episodes, Woody regales us with a few more stories of growing up on the West Side of San Francisco.

In a year like no other in our lifetimes, Nicole, David, and Woody take a look back at the historical highlights of 2020.

The oldest Catholic church in the Richmond dates back to the 1880s. As the population of San Francisco spread west, so did the churches. Today's pod gives us a historical glimpse on the many Catholic churches in the Richmond.

Incredulously, after 400+ podcasts, we are only now devoting one to John McLaren, the Superintendent of San Francisco parks - for life. The pod looks at McLaren's lasting legacy throughout the City and beyond.

The massive Sears store at the top of Geary was THE place to shop in the Richmond. Sears, Roebuck and Co. started as a mail order catalog and later became the country's dominant department store. But alas, all good things must come to an end.

George Barron was the curator of the de Young Museum who at times, had flashes of P.T. Barnam. Special guest Judi Leff joins the pod to regale us with stories of the colorful curator.

French Hospital has a misty past with its origins in the early 1850s. Its current location on Geary Street dates back to the turn of the previous century and continues to serve the community today.

The USS San Francisco had a relatively brief, but storied history in the US Navy. In honor of Veterans Day, the Pod recounts the naval cruiser's role in World War II and its many connections to the City from construction to decommissioning.

Halloween has always been a big holiday in San Francsico. What may surprise you is how neighborhood organizations and merchants on the West Side used to go above and beyond trick or treating - all for the lucky kids.

Mt. Davidson Manor includes a who's who list of San Francisco residential developers. The home building story starts with Fernando Nelson and development continues into the 1930s.

The Billington Brothers are the photographers behind many of the images around the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Land's End. Special guest John Freeman tells us how the brothers transformed themselves after arriving in San Francisco.

Known by different names and in different locations, Children's Hospital has served San Francisco since the 1880s. And the journey continues to this day.

In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration constructed a variety of projects in San Francisco that endure to this day. This week, we shake the sand out of our shoes and explore our favorite WPA-era built playgrounds in the Richmond.

Willie Mays is a baseball icon. Already a superstar when the Giants moved to San Francisco, Willie and his wife, Marghuerite, found a new home near Mt. Davidson, only to be denied purchase because they were African American - but ultimately prevailed.