Western Neighborhoods Project

Outside Lands San Francisco

Society EN ↓ 660 episodes

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, footnoted facts, and occasional guests.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.outsidelands.org

Author

Western Neighborhoods Project

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.outsidelands.org

Latest episode

Oct 5, 2026

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Episodes

60: The Chutes 27.02.2014

The Chutes amusement center and water ride and its early 20th Century westward migration from the Haight, to the Richmond District, and sort of to Ocean Beach. With guest star John Freeman.

59: Doggie Diner Head 18.02.2014

Seven-foot-tall dachshund wearing chef's hat? Sounds like San Francisco landmark #254 on Sloat Boulevard in the Sunset District.

58: Point Lobos Toll Road 15.02.2014

Richmond District historian John Freeman talks about a dusty toll road that became one of San Francisco's largest thoroughfares, Geary Boulevard.

57: Forest Hill 08.02.2014

Richard Brandi talks about Forest Hill, not just a Muni streetcar station, but a historic San Francisco residence park.

56: SF History Expo 31.01.2014

Nicole Meldahl from the the GGNRA Park Archives and Jamie O'Keefe from Guardians of the City join David and Woody to talk about the San Francisco History Expo on March 1-2, 2014.

55: Larsen Park Jet 24.01.2014

History and future of jets used as play structures at Larsen Park on 19th Avenue in San Francisco's Sunset District.

54: Outside Lands Hollywood 11.01.2014

David and Woody talk about movies that had scenes filmed in western San Francisco.

53: Thomas Sweeny and his Observatory 10.01.2014

Thomas Underhill Sweeny, Sunset District pioneer, "demented hermit," and benefactor of a now-vanished observatory on Strawberry Hill, in Stow Lake, in Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco...

52: The 1894 Midwinter Fair 04.01.2014

The 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park remade not only the park, but the Richmond and Sunset districts. Midway monkeys are discussed.

51: A Review of 2013 27.12.2013

A quick review of all the great stuff the Western Neighborhoods Project did and experienced in 2013, including this local history podcast!

50: Holiday Firehouses 20.12.2013

From 1948-1950 San Francisco's firehouses competed in a holiday decorating contest still remembered. Why did this start? Why did it end?

49: San Francisco's First Motel 13.12.2013

San Francisco's first motel, the Ocean Park Motel, opened in 1937 in western San Francisco and it's still doing great business. Plus, we share fun facts about other west side inns and motels.

48: Golden Gate Park Windmills 07.12.2013

Giant windmills on the western edge of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at Ocean Beach. What's up with that? Plus, we finally answer our fan mail.

47: Sutro Baths 29.11.2013

John Martini returns to talk about San Francisco's legendary Sutro Baths, once the world's largest natatorium and now beloved ruins.

46: SF History Groups 23.11.2013

The Western Neighborhoods Project isn't the only group dedicated to San Francisco history. David and Woody share the love and give you lots of options to get your SF History fix.

45: Ewing Field 16.11.2013

Guest star Angus Macfarlane returns to tell the boys stories about the Richmond District's long-gone Ewing Field, home of minor league baseball and other diversions for San Franciscans.

44: Harold Stoner 09.11.2013

Guest star Jacquie Proctor talks about one of the most prolific residential architects in San Francisco, the man of streamline rocket ship buildings as well as Hansel and Gretel cottages, Harold Stoner.

43: How to Research Your House 02.11.2013

How does one research San Francisco history, including the history of one's house? David and Woody give you the online resources to get started. Plus, some big news for WNP.

42: The Little Shamrock 26.10.2013

Guest Angus Macfarlane talks with the boys about the Sunset District's oldest business, the Little Shamrock, established by the extraordinary Julia Herzo.

41: Cemeteries of the Inner Richmond 19.10.2013

Talking about the Richmond District's Big Four cemeteries around Lone Mountain, the resting place for San Francisco's dead from the 1850s until their removal in the 1930s.

40: Speedway Meadow and Polo Fields 12.10.2013

The story of Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow, the Speed Road, and the Polo Fields.

39: Carville-by-the-Sea 02.10.2013

San Francisco's 1890s bohemian beachside settlement made of old streetcars.

38: Sunset Boulevard 27.09.2013

San Francisco's Sunset Boulevard: no Norma Desmond, but from the 1930s to the 1970s, it did have Soap Box Derbys.

37: Brooks Park 20.09.2013

The up, downs, and ups once more of Brooks Park overlooking Lake Merced in Southwestern San Francisco.

36: Balboa Theatre 13.09.2013

San Francisco's Balboa Theatre on Balboa Street near 38th Avenue is a Richmond District institution.

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