Outside Lands 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.

Listener request fulfilled! Little Sisters of the Poor have been providing comfort to less fortunate San Franciscans for over a hundred years. Their beautiful Lake Street building survived the 1906 Earthquake & Fire, but where is it today?

You've probably driven past the Forest Knolls neighborhood many times without even knowing it. Community action led by a now prominent politician, finally opened up the development to people of color.

Take a tour of some of the Catholic parishes in the Sunset. This week, we cover St. Anne's, St. John of God, Holy Name Parish, and St. Gabriel Church.

Golden Gate Park is home to the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Formerly de Laveaga Dell, the Grove provides a serene location to commemorate loved ones lost to the AIDS pandemic.

You can't miss spotting a Rousseau-built "Storybook" home in the Sunset. Special guest Michael Lange joins the pod to tell the story of the Rousseau brothers and how they developed their distinctive homes across the West Side of San Francisco.

Dr. Emma Sutro Merritt was Adolf Sutro's eldest child. Accomplished in her own right, she left a lasting legacy in San Francisco to this day. WNP's Chelsea Sellin joins the live podcast as we continue this year's celebration of Women on the West Side.

The Parkside Branch Library's mid-century architecture stands out among the nearby buildings on Taraval Street. Unlike most Outside Lands San Francisco podcasts, there are no dark secrets or scandal in this one.

New-Deal era, Bernard Zakheim murals at UC San Francisco are in imminent danger of being destroyed. Portraying the history of medicine, ten frescoes displayed in UC Hall, which will soon be demolished as plans for a new hospital take shape

We mourn the permanent closing of Louis' Restaurant due to the pandemic, but celebrate its history and the thousands of meals served overlooking the Sutro Baths Ruins, Seal Rocks, and the Pacific Ocean.

We miss theatre popcorn! Continuing our long-running series about West Side movie theatres, this week's we recall the history of the still extant, 4-Star Theatre.

As you enjoy a burger and shake at Mel's Drive-In on Geary Boulevard, in those very booths nearly 60 years ago, there was a protest against Mel's owners for their discriminatory hiring processes. Learn what happened in 1963 and how it resonates today.

Special guest, Gary Stark of the Cliff House Project joins the pod this week to talk about his organization and share some fascinating facts about the ever evolving, west side landmark. To see more Cliff House photos, visit https://opensfhistory.org/