Sunset Style

Out With the Old

2011-03-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

(Note: I published this a couple days ago, but under the date I had started it, a year ago. Don't know if it showed up in feeds, so I'm republishing with today's date.)

Here's how a stretch of the north side of the 3600 Block of Judah looked a couple years ago. Two cute pastel houses. (And one 1970's apartment building)

Then Pinky was demolished in November 2008.

And construction of a three story building ensued.

May 09

It sat for a very long time all done except a power meter on a piece of plywood sat out front. People moved in eventually. I had to give up on getting a photo without a car in it. Here it is in March 2011.

1940's, 1970's, and 2010's all in a row. I can imagine a person in the future loathing today's construction, and feeling nostalgic about the '70's stuff. It won't be me. Gold windows in black metal frames will always be ugly in my eyes.

Died and Went to Heaven

2011-03-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

It started Friday when I saw 1501 Ortega come up on the MLS. It is this amazing Art Deco house I blogged about before. I've only found two other similar homes in the area.

Yesterday I walked over to the open house, wondering if the inside would be as inspiring as the exterior.

Through the front door I was greeted by this banister (and the friendly agent who let me take photos).

To the left is a sunken living room with round fireplace.

Back through the entry and the dining room into the kitchen. Look at the tiles, they must be original. There's a Wedgewood stove and space for a kitchen table.

Headed up the stairs and that's when I feared for my life. Be still my heart, a huge bathroom with pink fixtures.

There's a skylight, shower over to the right, and space for a vanity.

On either side of the bathroom are the bedrooms. Every door in the house has an applied design, including the front door.

Headed back down the stairs and said good-bye.

It isn't a very big house but I like the layout. There's a little backyard off the kitchen and the garage is reached by a driveway on 22nd Ave. It was built in 1940 and has been in the same family since 1954.

I love this house even more now that I've been inside. If it was mine I would replace the aluminum windows with wood and slowly acquire period furniture. I would wear an apron with roosters embroidered on it while I cooked meatloaf (which is saying a lot since I'm a vegetarian). I just need to acquire a large sum of money for a downpayment. Minor detail.

Apartment Hunting

2011-03-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a named apartment building that's been hiding in plain sight. The Sunrise Apartments on 35th and Taraval, built in 1956.

Did you know how big the Kirkham Heights compound up at the top of 5th Ave is? I had no idea until I drove up there the other day. Several buildings totaling 86 units.

The '70's and 1970's

2010-10-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

This awesome 1970's building has a frieze from the '70's, 70 AD, that is.

I don't know my Greek from Romans, but that is one rocking piece of art. I also don't remember exactly where this is, but can narrow down to the west side of the 1200 block of 10th, 11th, or 12th ave.

Hello from the Fog

2010-10-04T16:22:00.001-07:00

Well, last week was a bit too warm, no? Not to worry, I had to bundle up with mittens and scarf for my walk this morning. In case all four of you are wondering, I'm still around, and still want to blog about the Sunset. In fact, I see that I have five draft posts just awaiting a couple more photos or a little research.

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Have you seen the new Ocean Beach Bulletin? "News and opinion from San Francisco's western edge". Check it out to keep up with events and learn some history.

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Speaking of history, Frank Dunnigan's Streetwise column in August featured Irving Street memories. The nagging question of what type of gas station was at 16th and Irving was answered, it was a Mohawk.

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I have a couple named apartments to add to the list:

The Georgia Lee Apartments on Taraval (the building to the right is identical, but that name has been removed from the plaque.)

and the La Playa Apartments:

That reminds me, a reader remembered delivering newspapers on Cutler and thought the building on the northwest corner had a name. I went and checked, but couldn't find one.

More Tile

2010-04-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

I just found this unfinished post in my drafts. What I was waiting for I don't know. Here are two homes with neat use of tile.

The first is in Golden Gate Heights at 14th and Mandalay Lane.

The second on 17th Ave near Judah is pretty unassuming.

Until you look closely at the ececlitic mix of tiles.

WPA

2010-03-30T14:31:00.001-07:00

I want to thank Donald for waking me out of my blog fog. He pointed me to this photo on Caliber. Interesting theory about why names are stamped on San Francisco streets.

Back in January I walked the length of 36th Ave. and found a bunch of concrete markings.

A couple weeks later I decided to check out 37th Ave., just curious if the other side of Sunset Boulevard was poured by the same people. The coolest thing I found was a Works Progress Association stamp from 1941. First I've seen of these. I almost walked right over the first one because it was filled with dirt. I spent quite a while using a stick to clean it out enough to decode it, only to find several nice clean ones further down the street.

These are between Lawton and Ortega. I didn't find any other new marks on 37th Ave.

Weather Vanes Part 3

2010-01-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here are the latest weather vanes I have come across. Some appear to be original to the homes, some new. The originals tend to be flat.

I think these two were somewhere around 14th and Quintara:

Around 35th near Kirkham:

3rd and Irving:

Finally, these are out by Lakeshore Park, Miraloma Manor, etc:

Find your Niche on 17th Ave

2010-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

I headed out to find this house a couple weeks ago:

Can you guess why? What is up with these things?:

I could have sworn there were a couple houses on the block with this detail, but not here. However I discovered that almost every house on the west side of 17th between Kirkham and Lawton have niches:

Here are a few:

This house has a neat entrance:

And the original garage doors (another favorite disappearing detail of mine):

Bonanza

2010-01-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a bonanza if you are interested in cement markings on the west side of San Francisco. Someday they will all be gone, victims of renovations and improvements. I have a feeling when the majority of the houses in the neighborhood start turning a hundred years old there will be more interest in who built this side of town.

I walked down almost the entire length of 36th Ave and onto Ocean Ave heading east, and found a bunch of new markings.

First up "A. B. Rilovich Cement Contractor San Francisco" at 36th and Lawton:

Next, "P.R. Kelly 1947" at 36th and Pacheco:

"Meyer Rosenberg Contractor San Francisco 1931" was in a couple spots at 36th & Santiago:

"Eaton S. Smith 1931" at 36th & Ulloa. The first time I have seen the contractor name with the street name:

Nobody but maybe one or two people who read this blog will understand my excitement for what I found at Wawona: "THIRTYSIXTH AVE" and "Meyer Rosenberg Contractor San Francisco 1931", twice. You can see the date didn't fit below the name on the curb, so it is sideways. I guess it makes sense that the name iron and date would be separate, I just never thought of it before:

Somewhere in there was a G A Love and Sons mark, like I had seen right on Sunset.

Finally we head to Lakeshore Park / Merced Manor.

I think this "Bay Concrete Co. 1931" is the only one I've seen on the side of a curb, found on Ocean at Melba:

While not a marking, I like that they saved this "TWENTY SECOND AVE" which has particularly large letters, when they put in the corner ramp. Not a great photo, but there is new cement on three sides of this:

I almost forgot, here are a couple I found on a bike ride the other day:

19th and Sloat: "A. B. Rilovich San Francsico CAL". Different from the mark in the first photo of this post.

Dewey at Pacheco: "1932 Love & Haun Concrete Construction 1354 20th St. SF 1932":

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here are some random shots:

Aladdin Radio

2009-12-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

Aladdin Radio is on Irving and 17th Ave. I always liked the tile:

The Oregon historic vehicle plate caught my eye because my grandma's neighbor in Oregon collected old cars.

Thanks to reader Robert, I now can see that the gate is the shape of a Model T.

The shop is closed. But Grace Cunnane interviewed the owner, John Wentzel. Read her great blog entry here. He opened the business in 1946.

You can peek in the windows:

I wonder what the story is behind these footprints?

Name That Apartment

2009-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought I would never find another named apartment building in the Sunset, I came across three today. I also had some waiting to make a big enough post. Now I'm afraid it is too long.

Can you name this apartment building?:

It may be 1970's style, but the entry is pretty at night:

Answer: the A Francis Apts. on the 1400 block of 20th Ave:

Here's another lovely:

The Swinging (I like to imagine) Swinford Apt. on the 1300 block of 10th Ave:

Just a block away is this beauty:

If this looks familiar, that's because a reader shared his photos on Flickr. It took a year and a half but I finally stumbled upon it on my own. Pretty funny since I pass 10th & Judah several times a week:

Can you handle the suspense? It's Sunset Village:

Next up:

These apartments are actually run by the 7th Avenue Church two doors down:

Park Sunset:

I was thrilled to find that one of my favorites is a named building (hey, at least I'm easy to thrill):

The 200 Irving Apartments:

Finally, I leave you with the obvious:

The difficult to photograph Sunset Towers Apartments aka Avalon Sunset Towers :

Here are the other posts with named apartments:

June 22, 2008
June 30, 2008
September 20th 2008
October 11, 2008

Merry Chirstmas

2009-12-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

Dreaming of pastel houses and trees.

G B Jackson & Son

2009-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago the sun was hitting this building at 1309-1317 20th Avenue just right and I could make out the old name. My friend had blogged about searching out the past life of another building so I decided to see what I could find.

The first challenge was getting back there at the right time on a sunny day in December to capture the letters. It says G B Jackson & Son. I looked in old San Francisco City Directories on-line to see what kind of business it was. The latest free one is from 1938, and it wasn't listed.

The parcel map is confusing, too. That address doesn't exist. This building seems to be considered part of the taller building on the corner.

(click on this for a big version where you can read the name)

Then I asked the trustee readers at the Western Neighborhoods Project message boards, and a fellow Norwegian clued me in. It was a hardware, furniture and appliance store in the 1940's. I'm still a little unclear about the building, there were different entrances, and this one was used later, when the business was just a hardware store. I have yet to find an old photo of it.

The well-loved Bowcock's market was next door on Irving Street. There are great photos of the grand opening at the San Francisco Public Library's Picture This collection. You can read about Robert Bowcock, who helped run the family business for many years and wrote a book about Butchertown, in this San Francisco Beacon article.

Parkside Playboy

2009-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

I've been travelling in the Outer Parkside lately. Unfortunately my camera is broken and I only have the clunker along sporadically. There are quite a few things I want to shoot.

Check out the gate to this bunny hutch:

It is right across the street from this:

Awesome garage door paint job.

Octagon House

2009-09-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's not in the Sunset, but I thought that you would like to know that we have an octagon house here in the Outsidelands, up at Land's End in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Officially known as the Point Lobos Marine Exchange Lookout Station, the building is owned by the National Parks. It was built as part of system started in the Gold Rush that reported on ships entering the Golden Gate.

If you've ever hiked out there, you may have looked up above the trees and seen the pole. The family of the last lookout was allowed to live in the home after it was decommissioned. Last time I took a walk up to Fort Miley I noticed that the road to the building was no longer blocked off, so I went up to take a look.

I took some photos and when I got home checked the Western Neighborhoods Project for info about the building's fate. Be sure to read John Martini's great article about the building and the Marine Exchange. Did you know how Telegraph Hill got its name?

Gloomy

2009-08-01T09:16:00.001-07:00

It has been grey on my street for at least ten days now. There has not been the usual blowing off of fog in the afternoon. A couple days ago I walked two blocks toward the ocean and it was sunny. Seriously, I can look out and see sun to the east, which is normal, but also to the west, north and south, everywhere but here it seems.

So I've pulled out some sunny photos from my walk east of 19th Ave. It's been so long that I've forgotten the exact locations, drat. This mural and the garden that follows are somewhere around 11th and Noriega.

Lovely garden:

Check out the mouse on the mailbox:

And the artist's signature:

Down the street is Jack's Rose Garden.

I wonder what variety these lovelies are:

Updates

2009-07-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

I went for a bike ride, intending to take a bunch of photos, but all I got was this place on Kirkham at about Funston.

Look familiar? I posted about a similar one on 19th Ave. last year.

And remember this building at Irving and 9th? It was actually Henry Doelger's office building. Duh. Thanks David. And, also duh, I didn't know this Doelger window was there either, in the little building behind the driveway, even though I inadvertently took a picture of it.

My on purpose (advertant?) photo isn't great. Go look at David's in Flickr.

The Zoo

2009-07-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco Zoo is celebrating its 80th year. If you visit the website, you can see historic photos and videos and download the latest annual report which has a lot of great photos in it.

There will be a historical tour on August 1st. You can meet the author of the new book about the zoo. I bought my copy of "Images of America: San Francisco Zoo" by Katherine Girlich in the gift shop. It will be carried at bookstores, too. I enjoyed all the photos, some of them jarred long buried memories, like the trash cans with the enormous animal heads.

New at the Zoo, as part of their conservation and historical focus, is one of the 1906 Earthquake shacks. You can read all about them and the preservation efforts of the Western Neighborhoods Project here.

There have been so many changes at the zoo. There are a lot of things I miss. One day I will have been using the "new" entrance longer than I ever used the old one, but it will never be the same.

I took this shot of the Mother's building last Fall.

Like many people I have mixed feelings about zoos. Some argue that kids can see wildlife on television, so we no longer need to keep animals in captivity for them to experience. Some of the photos of animals make me sad, as do my memories of the old small cat cages.

I do know that the changes I lament about the zoo are made in large part to improve the animals' surroundings. There is still a lot to be done. I'll miss the old buildings, they are so tied to my childhood memories.

An inexpensive ($3.50) book published by the zoo in 2004 is for sale in the gift shop. It is only 32 pages long, but well worth the cost. It has color photos, and are not all the same as the Arcadia Publishing book.

More Weather Vanes

2009-06-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Ship in the fog on Kirkham. Check out the rigging.

Fowl:

Just passing through?

And a final vessel heading west.

Sidewalk Sightings

2009-06-23T12:56:00.001-07:00

I took a good long walk in the Inner Sunset and Golden Gate Heights yesterday. On a tip from reader (thanks!) I snapped this at Noriega and 11th Avenue. Noriega comes in at a funny angle and there are really only three corners at this intersection. Noriega is spelled correctly on one.

This is a new to me concrete contractor. It reads: M. THIDE CONCTRACTOR 376 22nd AVE. This mark is on the 1800 block of 9th Ave.

This next may be of interest to reader CM whose grandfather, EJ Brown, was a contractor. I have spotted a bunch of "DC McCabe and Sons" marks in the Outer Sunset. They are listed in the 1938 phone book at the McCall building.

This sewer cover is the first I have see of "McCabe & Brown". I wonder if they were partners and later McCabe went out on his own? There were two of these on 9th Avenue. The bottom says "1st NATL-BK-BDG"

I took tons of photos of sewer covers with names I hadn't seen before. That will be a later posting. This F. Nelson cover is on the block of 16th Ave between Judah & Kirkham that is full of Crafstman homes.

Although the house it is in front of is not that style. It is across the street from these:

Cousins in the Richmond

2009-06-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

I finally stopped to take pictures of three buildings on outer Fulton. They have the same detail as some buildings on Judah.

I often wonder if houses in the Richmond and Sunset with similar details were built by the same companies, or if the builders just shopped at the same decoration supplier.

Here is the post about the 31st & Judah versions.

I like the place where these two meet.

And this one is a different layout, but it has the same detail across the top.

29th Ave

2009-06-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was walking down 29th Ave the other day to find this house. It is a cousin to one of my favorites.

I love pink, but this is one case where the color doesn't do the house justice.

(No, the Photoshop Fairy has not visited my computer yet).

I think there is another house in this style at about 15th and Rivera.

Also passed the corner of "z9th" and Ortega.

Looking Down

2009-04-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some things on the sidewalks here and there.

This looks like a sunrise to me:

I've been meaning to get pics of the giant footprints on Irving at 32nd for a long time. I'm glad I did, they are really faded.

I thought that they had been around since I was a kid, but I see they are on a ramp, so that means they aren't that old.

And finally, here is 15th and Judah. On this corner we have an "S" standing in for the "5".

On on this side an upside-down reversed "2", I think.

Weather Vanes of the Sunset

2009-03-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a collection of weather vanes I have seen in my travels around the neighborhood. I think some of them are quite jaunty.

This one is on Parkway Terrace:

This one is on 34th Ave:

I didn't take note of the locations of the rest.

Cars to Brighten a Foggy Day

2009-02-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

I keep meaning to post these photos of colorful vehicles spotted around the neighborhood to brighten up our cloudy winter days. But those have been so few and far between I decided to finally just put them up.

Saturday Sidewalks

2008-12-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few additions to the cement archives from my morning walk:

What's curious is these letters are much smaller than normal. They are in the old-fashioned typeface, but in a newer ramp at 32nd Ave.

I have walked over this name on 32nd Ave. at least fifty times but never noticed the extra "I" in "Kirkham" until today:

I like how someone was cognizant of the fact that the "nd" "st" should be small letters, and attempted to have them make more sense by superscripting them.

Merry Chirstmas

2008-12-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember, back to the early 1990's, this house has at 34th & Quintara has been elaborately decorated for Christmas.

It's a tradition of mine, no matter where I live in the area to drive by at least one evening to enjoy the lights. But there's a lot see in the daytime, too.

We've been by twice so far after a Christmas events this year. It was raining both times which made for some lovely reflections.

Wisely, the Holy Family is up high, keeping the Baby Jesus safe from naughty tricksters.

I've spoken to the home owners a few times. They have the lights on timers.

Keep your eye on this house. It gets decorated for many other holidays as well.

Ocean Beach in the News

2008-12-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

There was an article about the Ocean Beach neighborhood (I didn't know there was such a designation) in today's Chronicle. Be sure to read the comments. It was written by Carl Nolte, who's column is called "Native Son".

Sunset Palace

2008-11-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

On Irving between 26th and 27th I spotted this:

The Sunset Palace was not very palatial, in my opinion.

I don't know anything about it. I will check whenever I make that trip to the Main Library to look through old phone books.

It's funny, there are some blue and white tiles right around the edge of the entry to Nomad Cyclery next door. They don't match well with the beige and green tiles. I don't show you a full picture of Nomad's building, but to me they are not similar. However, they were built the same year. The tile is painted over at the "Palace", maybe it was the same as Nomad's.

12th & Judah

2008-11-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is just too easy. I went to the Cheese Shop at 12th and Irving and walked up to catch the N. While I was waiting I looked down and saw a two-fer:

Construction Watch

2008-11-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to watch and see what goes up here:

I only wish I had taken some pictures earlier when it was gutted. I had no idea the roof and all was coming off.

I like how you can see the pink color that the house on the right used to be painted.

A Mural on Veterans Day

2008-11-12T08:03:00.001-08:00

Have you ever noticed this house on 46th Avenue?

I like the clever use of the space for the mural, and have wondered what the significance of the Harry Truman quote is.

"The only thing you don't know is the history you haven't read"

It turns out that the artist who painted the pizza murals at the Pizza Place, Nicole Andrijauskas, was commissioned to do these. Go check out her website: nicolearts.com. She has done a lot of fun things. Here is the page with the explanation for the project, which was commissioned by the family of a WWII aircraft mechanic.

Apologies for the poor photos. It was a beautiful time of day, but I didn't capture the details very well.

Shutters

2008-11-10T21:49:00.000-08:00

This blog has not be shuttered, it's just that a combination of factors has prevented me from getting out much lately to take new photos.

Have you ever wondered how many styles of shutters there are in the Sunset? Well, I have and I'm starting to keep track of them. They seem to fall into three types: plain, cut-out decoration, and applied decoration.

My favorites are the cut-outs. There are simple shapes:

Fancy cut-outs:

Here are some of the shutters with trim applied:

Name this Restaurant

2008-10-23T20:47:00.001-07:00

In which restaurant on the western side of the city will you find this lovely floor?

Hint - it has great views

Hint #2 - it has been in business since 1937

Hint #3 - one of the few places you can get a chocolate malt and actually taste the malt

It's Louis', right above Sutro Baths and the Cliff House.

Union Builders

2008-10-19T13:44:00.001-07:00

I came across a couple more new (to me) marks in the sidewalk last week. I didn't take notes but they are in the 1400 block of either 22nd, 23rd, or 24th Aves.

Here's the first, a contractor's name I haven't seen before and couldn't read.

A little further down the block MJ Lynch turned up again, this time up against the competition, D.C. McCabe and Sons.

The block had quite a few McCabe marks.

Across the street I found this Union marking. There was no contractor's name marked along with it.

I can't quite make it all out. It looks like:

UNION MADE
S - 70 - F
LOCAL [3 or N]01 REG

First, I'm quite sure the "70" is not a year. The houses it was in front of didn't appear to built or remodeled in 1970. And I can't imagine them making a new iron every year. I'm not really up on union names and numbers so I searched the web a bit. Today there is a cement mason's union 300 in San Francisco, and the Teamster's local in Oakland is #70.

One of these days I'm going to look through old phone books at the Main Library and search for contractors, builders, and unions.

Land's End

2008-10-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Above the Cliff House is a wonderful place for a hike: Land's End. There is something for everyone: views of the Golden Gate, nature, shipwrecks, and an old rail bed. I didn't spend time up there as a child, but I got to know it well when I worked at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital.

A week or two ago I went up to see the progress on the new Cliff House visitor center. The parking lot is finished, as are the new, flat trails connecting it to Land's End. I prefer to park up at Land's End. First stop is the U.S.S. San Francisco Memorial which honors those who died at Guadalcanal.

You can find photos of the monument being built and dedicated here.

If you are interested in the military, than head up hill and explore the bunkers of Fort Miley.

I'm going to intersperse some old postcard images from my collection. Take a look through the photos labeled "Land's End" in the S.F.P.L. collection, too.

My other goal was to take photos of the old restroom ruins. I think they are right below this foundation which is directly below the lovely new seating area on the recently upgraded trail.

I used to duck down under a certain tree a little further down the path and then cut back. However, I discovered that a lot of trees and brush have been cleared and native plant restoration is in process, leaving no "legal" access down the slope. So I continued east, and headed down the hill to see if I could find a lower place to cross over. It was really green in spots.

And brown in others, with wildflowers here and there.

The coolest thing I ever saw at Land's End was a red fox. I think that will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Mile Rock Lighthouse wasn't always an orange and white stump. Read more about it here.

Many ships have wrecked off the waters of Land's End (not to mention at Sutro Baths and along Ocean Beach). Notably two sister ships, the Frank S. Buck and Lyman Stewart, built side by side are buried side-by-side. Here is the engine block of the Stewart. That reminds me of a great local book: Shipwrecks at the Golden Gate, which I pulled out last time the King Philip was visible on Ocean Beach.

You can see these remains and others from the main trail. What is now a trail used to be a road "El Camino Del Mar", and before that it was a rail bed. In fact tourists came out not only to visit the beach and Sutro Gardens, but to see shipwrecks.

A subject for a whole 'nother post is the Ferries and Cliffhouse Railway which carried San Franciscans from downtown to the wilds of the Outsidelands. There is a fantastic movie filmed 1902 by Thomas Edison from the front of the train. If you watch it here there is a bit of history, as well as a frame by frame description. Note the tunnels. It is also available on YouTube:

The steam was later converted to streetcars.

You can continue the hike all the way to Eagle's Point, on the edge of the Lincoln Park Golf Course. Did you know that the Legion of Honor Museum and the golf course sit on a former cemetery? There are still some memorial stones on the golf course.

If you haven't spent anytime at Land's End I encourage you to do so. You will see and learn something new every time you visit. If you don't want to hike out and back you can catch the 18-46th Avenue bus at the Legion of Honor back down to the Cliff House.

Saturday Stroll

2008-10-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

I walked down Lincoln today and found that some of my favorite misspellings have, indeed, been eradicated. Here's a photo I took a couple weeks ago at 32nd Ave.

Did I ever post LIN"G"OLN?

Well, it's gone now, with this in it's place.

At my destination, 22nd and Irving, I spotted this addition to the named apartments:

Not sure where the "plaza" is, but here's the building, circa 1965.

26th and Moraga

2008-10-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Remember when I said that it was rare to see the same misspelled street name on all four corners of an intersection? Well, I was at the corner of "Z6" and Moraga toady and guess what?

This last one is really weird. It looks like the "Z" was initially left off, giving the opportunity to put in a "2". Instead, yet another Z was scratched in.

I also said that Moorish arches are rare in the Sunset. Not so much it seems. Here they are mixed with faux half-timbers.

Here's the reason I was at 26th and Moraga.

Another curlicue (more here and here):

Guess Where - Reader Tip

2008-10-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Can you guess where this building is?

And what it is?

Inside the lobby there are more painted arches like this and at least one mural:

It's an apartment building on 8th and Irving, right between Pasquale's pizza and the "Sunset Apartments".

It's been on my list to photograph. I don't know what kind of arches these are but there aren't seen too much in the Sunset. (edited to add: I've been calling this the "Moorish" building, and the horse shoe arches are also called Moorish)

A reader recommended checking it out.

I found much more of interest than just the arches. The entry is full of wonderful details.

According to the City, it was built in 1927.

Out and About

2008-10-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Just a couple things I saw today.
A really bright house:

I don't know if you can see, but the shingles are kind of orange.

I hadn't seen this imprint before. It's on Irving at 11th.

Speaking of contractors, be on the lookout for "EJB". A reader's grandfather was a contractor, and she is lucky enough to still have the imprint iron. I haven't seen that particular mark yet.

Update Day

2008-10-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today will be a day of updates and links.

First, welcome to recent readers, who are coming from the Western Neighborhoods Project. Thanks for reading, and I value your collective history and experiences.

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I just discovered the photographer Jim Vecchi. He has done a Sunset Triology, including a look down at painted sidewalks.

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Unless you were under a rock or something, like me, you probably know the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival is this weekend in Golden Gate Park. I've gone twice and it is a lot of fun, discovering new bands.

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It was confirmed by a reader that the Lincoln Way overpass did have lights. Still hoping to find photos.

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I went to The Pizza Place last night, here are the photos I posted last week of the mural. This time I actually went in and got dinner, which was great. Sweet potato fries and hot wing sauce, genius! There's a bar with six beers on tap, and a nice wine selection. Thin crust pizza, FYI. The Greek was excellent. A neighborhood feel, people seemed to know each other.

I didn't realize it, but the pizza car has wheels that rotate. Fun.

I learned that yes, the big mural on 46th Ave was there when they opened a year-and-a-half ago, and they worked around it. There is also a mural across the front, here's part of it.

Naturally my battery died before I got the rest, and naturally it wasn't until I was leaving that I learned that the woman who did the painting actually works there.

Geek Corner

2008-10-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

First, check out the Sunset Greening event, Dig It, I posted about yesterday. Lunch & prizes, plus t-shirts and a ticket to see a concert featuring Stone Gossard for the first 400 volunteers.

Onto my geekdom...

At this intersection you will find Kirkham misspelled (full disclosre: I just misspelled misspelled).

Once

Twice

Thrice

Four times!

Fairly unusual to have all four wrong. And yes, I do check when I find one. And yes, that woman wandering around outside your house either staring at the sidewalk, risking life & limb to take a photo from the middle of the street, peering at houses up and down the block, going in circles, or cursing the sun for shining too brightly to take photos may have been me.

Green and Brown

2008-09-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

First for the "Green" - Dig It!, a greening event in our very own Sunset District is coming up on Saturday, October 18th. This an opportunity to volunteer in our neighborhood, planting trees or helping clean up dismal playgrounds. Here are the details:

The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) is collaborating with Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF), Timberland, and SF Rec and Park on Dig It!, an Outer Sunset greening event on Saturday morning, October 18, 2008. Approximately 400 volunteers will work on various greening projects throughout the Outer Sunset, including tree plantings, and playground, park and schoolyard cleanups.

Two of the playgrounds that volunteers will be working on, Sunset and West Sunset Playground, received a failing grade in NPC’s 2008 Playground Report Card, meaning that these sites have safety and health concerns for the children of the Outer Sunset who play there.

Therefore, Dig It! is an exciting opportunity for San Franciscans to improve the condition of the recreational spaces in the Outer Sunset that need the most attention. Moreover, Dig It! addresses the fact that the Outer Sunset is an area of the City that greatly lacks adequate street trees and parks.

EVENT DETAILS

The event kick-off will begin will begin at 8am on Saturday, October 18 at West Sunset Playground at 3223 Ortega. At 1:00pm, volunteers will reconvene at West Sunset for lunch and prizes. Scheduled to appear are Sunset District Supervisor Carmen Chu and world-renowned environmental photographer James Balog.

The first 400 volunteers will receive a special Timberland t-shirt and a ticket to a concert that evening from 6:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. featuring Stone Gossard, founding member of Pearl Jam, at the Regency Center’s Grand Ballroom (1290 Sutter).

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

To volunteer at a Dig It! park, playground, or schoolyard cleanup project, contact NPC Outreach Coordinator Matthew Silva at (415) 621-3260 ext. 116 or msilva@sfnpc.org.

To volunteer at Dig It! tree plantings contact Reed Milnes at the Friends of the Urban Forest at reed@fuf.net or (415) 561-6890 ext. 103.

And now for the "Brown".
1970's buildings, how ever did you guess? First up, we have a specimen on 21st Ave from 1972.

Pretty typical, we've even seen this tile before. I don't take pictures of interiors of residences, that you can't see from the street. I could have pressed up against the glass to show you the mirrors. So many, many gold-framed, tiled mirrors.

Instead you will have to be satisfied with the wallpaper.

And a close-up of the rocky accent shapes.

As I headed down the block I spotted this cousin of the first. Although the windows are different, the ground floor has the same shape, and the rock stuff is the same color. However, the records show it wasn't built until 1975.

Cousins on Lincoln

2008-09-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

I headed down to Lincoln Way to see if the road work was resulting in any new mis-spellings. Instead I found that some of my favorites have been or are in danger of becoming eradicated. As they put in new pavement and ramps, they are correctly labeling the avenues, but not even putting in "Lincoln".

How have I missed this in the past? It is somewhere between 38th and 41st. Note that the "I" is actually a "1".

As I headed down Lincoln I passed one of my favorite buildings.

What's up with the circles?

The entry is neat, too.

From the park I noticed that the building next door has almost the same layout. Look at windows. The one on the left has more garages. A check with city records confirms they were both built in 1928 and have the same number of rooms and baths.

From street level I never noticed that because the entries, although both with columns have very different feels.

The Pizza (and Beer) Place

2008-09-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Pizza Place is on Noriega at 48th Ave. I haven't gone in yet, but the Yelp reviews are generally good. Of course I was drawn to the mural.

My memory is foggy, but it seems like the mural has been there a long time. Maybe before this was a pizza place, but without the pizza and beer angels?

And that's my favorite part, the glasses of beer hovering around the pizza, sandwich and salad.

Apparently there is good pizza, beer on tap, and a good local feel inside. And a car with pizza wheels.

(10/4/08 Update - I went and got a pizza and took some more photos which are here.)

Thanks to Buckeye Sue

2008-09-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

Just for fun I went out to take photos of "Buckeye Sue's" childhood home on 38th Avenue the other day. In the process I came across yesterday's crazy house, plus this old commercial building on Noriega at 45th.

City records show it was built in 1949. I was attracted to it because it is pink. But then I saw all the tile. I also noticed a city Job Card, checked and there is an active permit for construction for "health food, acupressure, and acupuncture" use.

This storefront is on the Noriega side.

And this one is on 45th.

Sue - here's your block and old house. You can actually get cool views on Google Street View, too, just type in the address. Yum, you were so close to Polly Ann's.

You are Doomed

2008-09-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

I first learned of this house on Curbed back in July. The location wasn't listed and I wondered how long it would take for me to come across it. Two-and-a-half months later I found it on 38th Ave.

I've been hesitating posting because I can only read the English stuff. I hope the Chinese(?) statements aren't something terribly offensive. If any reader of this blog can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

Studying the old photo, it appears that the painting on the driveway is new.

That, combined with the writing right on the wall here makes me wonder. Where is the dividing line between graffiti and decorating your home? I know that home owners are compelled by the City to cover over graffiti. But how do they define it?

Curious Collections

2008-09-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have a few additions to various collections. First, some more cement mix-ups.

Spotted on Noriega Street.

Say this one if you can. Forty-threeth.

Next, another named apartment. This is on 48th Ave between Kirkham and Lawton, unless I'm wrong, then it is on 47th.

And finally a house that has some really neat lines.

So much to love: the porthole, the glass blocks, the vertical and horizontal lines, circles & lines on the balcony echoed on the front railings.

On the road

2008-09-17T19:55:00.001-07:00

I took a few other photos on my bike ride over to 18th Avenue Monday.

Can't say I've seen any decorations like these on the top of these flats at 19th Ave & Pacheco before.

They look a little weird from the side. I wondered if they were an afterthought, but no, they match this railing in the back.

Also finally got a photo of this house.

I love these giant motifs on the front and side.

18th Ave Mystery House

2008-09-15T17:29:00.001-07:00

I saw an entry on Curbed about 1842 18th Avenue and the address sounded familiar. So I rode over to have a look. Apparently there is some story about this house and where it came from. One commenter had heard that the house was moved from the Presidio.

Does anyone know the story? Here's another view. I'm assuming the house used to be the color of the garage. The building permits indicate that a retaining wall was built and there was a bathroom and kitchen remodel.

My very first apartment, was an in-law a block from here. I must have walked by this house a hundred times to get down to the N, but I don't remember it. The garage, maybe a little.

Lincoln Way Viaduct

2008-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

I walk under the viaduct that crosses Lincoln Way at Sunset quite often to go into the park. It is kind of creepy right underneath it. Hollow spaces that pigeons live in. Heck, I think you could toss a whole body up there.

It's kind of moldy, too.

From afar it does have a certain grace of shape.

The railings remind me of Golden Gate Bridge. See that little outcropping?

Here's what it looks like on top.

And the view from above.

There are a couple mysteries. What used to be here on the top of the outcropping?

And was this a light?

I couldn't find any old pictures of it. I did find this photo from 1932 showing the Sloat & Sunset viaduct, in the Library's collection. They have quite a few showing the construction, too.

I'm guessing it was built around the same time, as I found this impression on the sidewalk of the bridge.

Thom Ross's Buffalo Bill

2008-09-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Mercifully the fog returned today so I ventured down to Ocean Beach to see Thom Ross' Buffalo Bill & Indians art installation. It doesn't have anything to do with Sunset homes, but I know the beach is near and dear to many of our hearts.

The installation is a recreation of a 1902 photograph of William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody and his Wild West Troupe, which was taken at the same spot, below the Cliff House. There's a reproduction of the photo at the event, but photos weren't allowed.

Here's an article at the Chronicle where you can see the original photo and photos of the event when the sun was out. Donald Kinney also has some great photos on his site.

It runs through next weekend (Sept. 14th). The artist was there dressed in western garb and the flyer they handed out says on the 12-14th western historians will be in attendance.

He actually created 200 Lakota and Cheyenne figures in 2005 to represent the Battle of Little Big Horn and placed them at Medicine Trail Coulee. As I understand it, many of the Indian figures are from that installation. It is mentioned in the flyer and I overheard that artist explaining that he didn't create a historically accurate recreation of the photo, but the feeling comes through.

I think his statement about the installation, "The 'meaning' of the installation must be determined by the individual viewer; what they feel when they view this piece will be the 'meaning'", sums up how I feel about the beach. It has many uses and invokes varied reactions. It's a place for recreation or solitude. A place to feel connected to nature or to people. A place to feel the power of the ocean and your own place on the earth.

Events and Curls in the Neighborhood

2008-09-06T17:18:00.001-07:00

Need to know what's going on in the neighborhood? Visit the Sunset District Events Calendar to find out about everything from birding to ukulele lessons. There are also handy links to local places, organizations, and City government.

All around the neighborhood I keep coming across the curl from what I call the "Pagoda House".

On the top of arches:

Kind of randomly placed:

And way off on a back wall.

They are not all the exact same piece, but similar enough. There's even one one the market I have featured a couple times.

What is it?

2008-09-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what it is, but this house always catches my eye:

I think it's the incongruity between the elements. The shapes above the left window look like the stereotype California Mission split in half, then add the roof tiles, creating one look; the bold lines on the doors create another; and then really fancy classic decorations applied over the windows and doors are another.

I'll bet this is what the original garage door looked like:

Classical

2008-08-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

I thought I had seen pretty much everything in the Sunset, and it would just be a matter of re-discovering, or looking at things in a different way from now on. But I really have no memory of these houses on 29th Ave.

I wonder when I see two houses painted the same color. Are they owned by the same family? Do neighbors just want to coordinate? Did they get a discount by hiring painters for two jobs at once?

But there is more than that going on here. Look at the statues. My Greek and Roman mythology is a little rusty, but I think that's Venus and Zeus.

The house on the left has some other additions. A cherub:

And these guys:

The house on the right isn't quite as fancy, but they've added gold paint here and there.

But it has statues of Artemis (or is that Diana?) and Apollo.

I love it when people go that extra step to make their homes stand out.

Awesome Sunset Video

2008-08-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

I'm only ten minutes into it, but can guarantee if are interested in the Sunset you will enjoy this Eye on The Bay episode about the Sunset, featuring Woody LaBounty of the Western Neighborhoods Project.

There are old photos and video, legends, and history. We'll forgive Brian Hackney for using the term "cookie cutter homes". Of particular interest to this blog are Rosseau and Carville homes, including an interior tour of a house made of two streetcars and a carriage.

And of particular interest to this blogger is Polly Ann Ice Cream. I am acquainted with one of the past owners.

It is a little over twenty minutes long. I'll be watching to see when it replays on Channel 5 so I can see it on a bigger screen. It appears to be from last September, but I just heard about it for the first time here.

Ornaments

2008-08-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

I started out writing this post to say I was going to take a break from this blog. I get disenchanted with San Francisco from time to time. When my car gets broken into, when I get stuck in a MUNI fiasco, when I encounter one too many stop sign runners, when I almost get run over on my bike, etc. It's bound to happen to even the most-hardcore city dweller from time to time. But then I looked through my Sunset photos and changed my mind.

My father was somehow related to Ralph Waldo Emerson, which means I am, too, I suppose. I hadn't seen this quote before, it is apt.

The plaque is on this house, with the pelicans in the window.

I really like the lines.

Lines

2008-08-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've been shooting a bit in black and white (as opposed to editing the photos later). It makes you look at things differently. For instance I've noticed a lot more homes with these 1940's lines.

The defining lines on the top caught my eye, but the round windows, glass blocks, and curved stairs all add up to a really streamlined look.

There are several different shaped top-lines, as I call them, around the neighborhood.

Another favorite of mine:

Re-Visit

2008-08-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

I was back at the corner of the house in my first post on this blog. I've been meaning to put up new shots to put it into better context. It was built in 1940, according to City records.

I still haven't come across another exactly like it.

Since the last time I was on this block a couple houses have been painted. Here's a very bright one. Quite cheerful on a foggy day.

Blocks

2008-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Note to self: do not use this photo when talking about the fact that all Sunset homes are not alike.

It's not much better in color.

Contrast that block to this one:
First a bunch of dreary 1970's flats.

This 1904 gem opposite.
And finally this turn of the century (20th Century) beauty near the end of the block.

Don't see a lot of roofs like this in the Sunset.

And that's not the half of it. Check it out next time you go to the beach, this is the 1400 block of 47th between Irving and Judah.

Let the Sun In

2008-08-18T19:27:00.000-07:00

This house on Kirkham has always interested me because it isn't a typical Sunset house.

They are really trying to get some sun in there:

This used to be a typical Sunset home:

Unless I had looked at the atrium I wouldn't have noticed that not only is there a 3rd floor addition, but a little fourth floor as well.

13th Avenue?

2008-08-16T21:52:00.001-07:00

I noticed this on the corner near Andronico's yesterday:

As we know, there is no 13th Avenue. It was changed from 13th to Funston in 1923, according to this article about a former Sunset resident, at the Western Neighborhoods project. There is a lot of other neat stuff in the interview, including Doelger homes. Hmm, this page has an excerpt from the 1919 "Call", which says describes someone as living on Funston Ave. I will try to do further research about that. In any case, the impression is wrong. Funston is not a street, but and avenue.

This subject reminded me of a book I have "San Francisco Street Secrets", which I haven't pulled out in a long time. Although it doesn't mention the name change, I learned that General Frederick Funston was The Army's Pacific Division Commander during the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. And Judah St. was named after Theodore D. Judah, the mastermind of the Central Pacific Railroad.

What Lies Behind

2008-08-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

I was admiring the decorations on this building on Judah...

...and noticed that this one around the corner on 31st has the same ones.

Vaguely Masonic, in my opinion.

But look there at the right in the back.

There's a whole other single family house with the same decorations.

According to City records they were built in 1948.

County Fair Building aka Hall of Flowers

2008-08-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, I sound like a geezer but...when I was a kid this was the Hall of Flowers and the Arboretum was called just that, or Strybing Arboretum if you wanted to get technical. Now it is the "San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum". Whatever the name, one of my favorite places. Did you know they have a botanical library?

I did a search of photos in the S.F. Library's collection here. Apparently the building was constructed between 1959 and 1961.

It seems to me the tree that used to be right in front really obscured the structure. It's only in the past few years I've noticed the building, although I have been in it many times over the years for sales and events.

I can't remember when this blue plastic fence thing went in.

The building has grown (ha ha) on me over the years.

More Stair Tile

2008-08-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

This stoop has an interesting use of tiles. I didn't get a great shot but there are three different kinds - the black and blue and yellow under the door:

Is this an abstract shape? I always see a person on a horse. It would be neat to see four together, forming the center flower.

And then there are some of these basic tiles seen on stairways throughout the Sunset:

This stairway has some styles I hadn't seen before. Perhaps they are newer?

And finally, sad, painted-over stair tiles:

Office Building

2008-08-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

This office building is another one of those places I vaguely remember going into as a kid. I would love to know if anyone has any information about what it was originally.

(Update: This Henry Doelger's Headquarters. A "Doelger Homes" sign can be seen behind the gate on the left.)

It's on Judah between 8th and 9th Avenues.

The City records indicate the left half was built in 1914, and the right in 1940. With all that glass block, I don't think 1914 is right. But the addresses for the parcels don't seem to match the records either. Maybe there's another building behind it.

So many 1940's details from the clock to the numbers over the door.

Even the gate looks Art Deco to me.

Here's a peek inside:

I don't know if this sign is meant as a reference to the movie of the same name, or if the contact phone number just fell down.

In My Hood

2008-08-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

I took this photo the other day at (obviously) Sunset Shoe Repair on Irving between 7th & 8th Ave. That reminded me of a Sunset Blog I have been meaning to tell everyone about - In My Hood SF by Grace Cunnane. She interviews and reports on people in the Inner Sunset. Here's the entry about Glenn, of Sunset Shoe Repair.

Also, I have added links to my favorite Sunset and San Francisco related sites over to the right.

Folk Wisdom

2008-08-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

The last business at this service station at Irving and 16th was called "Folk Wisdom". According to City records is was built in 1926. I haven't been able to find what kind of gas station it was originally.

(Edit October 4, 2010 - it was a Mohawk Station. Read Frank Dunnigan's "Streetwise - Irving Insights", and see a photo of the pumps)

I had a lot of fun poking my camera through the fence.

Wonder what kind of flags hung here?

I don't think you will find a mechanic any more:

It is quite "Closed":

I wish I had taken more photos of this wall, but it is all the way in the back. The sign on the left door says "Ladies". It looks like a random wall put up at an angle. I wonder why.

Cement Mix-Up

2008-08-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

I found this Flickr group for geeks like me: Cement Mix-Up.

Here are my latest additions:

Parkway Terrace

2008-08-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

If you've driven along Lincoln Way you have probably noticed that the homes between 27th and 32nd Avenues are larger, detached, and more elaborate than your typical Sunset homes.

Parkway Terrace was designed in 1916 by the prolific San Francisco builder, Fernando Nelson who later developed West Portal. I will defer to the great articles about Parkway Terrace and Fernando Nelson on the Western Neighborhoods Project site for the history. One fact of note from the article - like other developments in San Francisco, Nelson intended Parkway Terrace to be for white residents only.

There are some very beautiful homes in the development.

The homes become more modest as you approach Irving.

The sidewalks are extra-wide closer to Lincoln Way on some blocks.

What physically defines Parkway Terrace are the corner benches with "Parkway Terrace" plaques.

(Nelson built this house for himself in 1916).

It was fun strolling down the street looking for the plaques. Some of them are well taken care of:

Others are hidden in the brush:

While others are gone:

This one is well taken care of:

But the bench is inaccessible:

I wonder if people used to walk around the neighborhood and sit on the benches to rest or chat. I do walk around with my son, but it doesn't seem like it would be a very relaxing break with all the traffic zooming by. Maybe in by-gone days?

This plaque is somewhat of a mystery.

It is in front of this house, which is not a real historic site.

In fact, San Francisco historic site #29 is the firehouse on 10th Avenue. It has been suggested that a lot of great parties were held in this home and the plaque was put in by a former homeowner to celebrate that fact.

Finally, you can still find a Nelson sewer line cover on the sidewalk.

Pagoda

2008-08-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

The windows of this house always look like a pagoda to me. Something about the curls, I think.

Kind of incongruous with the classic looking entranceway.

Now I see different versions of it everywhere. Fancy:

Plain:

Not pagoda-ish at all with the "curl" moved down to the sides:

Nice. No urns, though.
Pretty, but still not a pagoda. One urn.

44th Ave

2008-07-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

I took a walk to confirm the location of yesterday's cactus. I ended up walking a fair bit on 44th Ave. There was no shortage of stencil letters the day this was poured.

Wow, that's a bright house.

Cactus

2008-07-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been driving down the street in the Outer Sunset and seen something sparkling on the corner of a house?

Your eyes do not deceive you. It's a tile cactus.

This is at 48th and Noriega.

Shapes & Shadows

2008-07-28T20:56:00.001-07:00

Builders

2008-07-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of Doelger and Rousseau homes.

I saw this house on 25th Avenue and Noriega come up on the MLS. It is described as Costello-built in 1938. A quick search at the Western Neighborhoods Project and I find that Lawrence Costello built good quality homes, mainly north of Noriega Street.

Bogie, can I borrow some flour?

2008-07-24T19:01:00.001-07:00

Round windows, metal rails, glass blocks, I love them all.

Whenever I look at this house, built in 1940 according to the City, I expect Humphrey Bogart to come down the stairs.

On a foggy day like this it feels even more like I'm in a black and white movie.

Added March 2011: I got to see the inside.

Kirkham Apartments

2008-07-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

These apartments on Kirkham and 18th Ave are un-named as far as I can tell. I would name them something Italian and colorful.

According to City records they were built in 1929.

I only regret that I could not impart the little burst of color the entrance provides.

Dinosaur Island

2008-07-20T19:24:00.001-07:00

Have you seen this house on 30th Ave between Judah and Kirkham?

Not only are there lovely murals:

But also a "Friendship Bench"

And "Dinosaur Island"

I always enjoy walking by. It's a cheerful spot in the fog.

I Heart Flamingos and Reader Tips

2008-07-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

I finally made it over to 21st Ave at Noriega. Wow, when reader Tim said there were geegaws he was right. Click on the picture to see it bigger.

Helmets, plastic horseys, hubcaps, signs, and flamingos!

What is actually creepiest is the sound. Kind of like hundreds of low-note wind chimes.

Windsor Terrace

2008-07-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Do you know where this is?

It is Windsor Terrace, a little area of big houses on 8th Ave and the east side of 9th Avenue between Lawton and Moraga.

This is looking up 8th Ave:

Here's a link to the only historical photo I found (coincidentally a person was asking about this topic on the Western Neighborhood Project site). It is the same spot and dated 1914, you can see a shadow of the brick "gate" at the bottom left.

I always admired this enormous house at 8th and Lawton.

I haven't been able to find any further information about the development.

Random

2008-07-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm out of town at the moment, hence the light posting of late. Here are a few random photos from around the neighborhood.

1970's (I actually don't know what to call this, decorative wall tile, raised pattern tile, ugly?) on 10th Ave.

This is for Al_Pal. We were talking about those pieces of metal that (I think) are supposed to help keep the garage walls from getting bashed. Here's another example on Funston at Irving.

And finally, from the makers of "2th Ave", another tongue-twister. Thirty-Oneth? Thirty-Firsth?

Styles of Homes

2008-07-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

There's a great new article on the Western Neighborhoods site about different styles of Doelger homes. Go check it out and read about the four styles identified to date.

Now, this isn't a Doelger, but an interesting specimen nonetheless.

The top is modern.

But this entryway is colonial.

Fast Food Confessions

2008-07-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

Since it is Sunday, I have decided today will be a day of confessions. I confess I have patronized chain stores and eaten crappy food.

Confession #1. I kind of like this bright paint job. It brings out the details on this old bank.
Confession #2. I bought a bean burrito here within the past few months.

Confession #3: As I child I often ate food from this corner. Back then there was a Kentucky Fried Chicken and an H. Salt nearby. I loved H. Salt and it's funky English Newspaper decor and packaging. Sometimes we would sit in H. Salt. Sometimes we would get take out from one, the other, or both. I credit KFC in large part for my becoming a vegetarian later in life.

Confession #4: I can't remember. Where exactly was H. Salt? And wasn't what is now Taco Bell a Radio Shack?

Confession #5: I can't remember a lot about the Silver Spur (next to Taco Bell), although I have been there several times.

Confession #6: I went to Starbucks shortly after these photos were taken.

Forgive me for all my sins against my stomach, my arteries, my brain, and the neighborhood.

Lincoln Ways

2008-07-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

Poor Lincoln Way, how your name has been altered. Let me count the ways:

First, a "7" in place of a real second "l".

Then they turn your "n" around"

Lincoln "Ave"? No such street exists, and yet it is labeled as such twice:

Okay, getting closer, but ome on, could they not find another "A"? How about the one used in "Ave"?

Ah, finally, here's a correct one:

Hello Panda

2008-07-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

It is hard, especially with my limited photography skills, to show just how bright green this house on Sloat is. But trust me, it is neon green a foggy day like today.

And the panda? I think it is a clever use of a filled in window.

Own A Firehouse

2008-07-02T16:58:00.001-07:00

As reported in the July Sunset Beacon, the former Engine Company 22 Building is for sale, with a listing price of $1.495 million (McGuire's listing). The Historic Landmark was built in 1898 and decommissioned in 1969.

The fire pole is still intact (see the photos on the listing). This is visible from the front window:

More Named Apartments

2008-06-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

Check out these additional named apartments from reader tips.

First, the Anita apartments at 6th & Lincoln. Thanks, Cormac.

Next, go to "trogdor"'s Flickr page and see the Sunset Apartments, including the rock garden in the entry. Nice details.

And finally, from the Richmond District, The other Parkview Apartments.

Hard to tell from the awful photo I took through the dirty windshield of a moving vehicle, but you've probably seen them. Right on the corner of 25th and ~~Lincoln~~ Fulton.

You Are My Sunshine...

2008-06-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

...when skies are grey

This two unit building, built in 1978, caught my eye one sunny day.

Lawton School

2008-06-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

This is Lawton Alternative Elementary School, located on 31st Ave at (surprise!) Lawton.

There are photos in the SFPL Historic Photo collection. I couldn't find exactly when the school was built, but it was in or just before 1937, judging by the captions on the photos.

The most interesting part is the entrance. There is tile on the walls and ceiling.

Interesting windows.
Years and years of patina on the doors.

This is looking to the right of the entrance.

There is an abundance of glass block.

According to the photos, there was an addition built in 1950.

Apartment Names

2008-06-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

I love it when apartment buildings have names. Is it me or are there fewer and fewer these days?

Here is a batch of named buildings I have photographed to date.

The Park West runs along Lincoln, behind Andronico's:

Saint Anne's is nearby:

The Parkview Apartments even have a shield above the entrance:

Bonus 1970's tile, doors, and yellow glass at the Parkway Apartments on 10th & Lincoln:

And the best for last. The Sunset Apartments at 8th & Irving.

Aloha

2008-06-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

... from the uncharacteristically warm Sunset.

Epiphany at 9th and Moraga

2008-06-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Golden Gate Heights. I went back yesterday to take some pictures of the closed "corner store". I was taking pictures of this one, the one we mainly went to...

then I looked over at the other former "corner store".

And I realized that these two differently-styled buildings, which I walked or drove by thousands of times, embody what I love about Sunset architecture.

I would pass this intersection every day after school, often stopping for a Coke. I'm not sure why, but I usually went to the 1930's looking one. My best friend lived on the other side of the street, so if I was with her we went to the Mediterranean looking one.

They had the newspaper on display, and I remember watching the death toll from the Jonestown massacre rise day by day. Made quite the impression on a little girl.

Hot?

2008-06-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

Looks like it may be warm in the Sunset today.
If you're missing the fog, here's something to cool you off:

This apartment building circa 1964 doesn't give off many warm fuzzies.

You Will Not Regret

2008-06-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

On outer Irving.

Welcome

2008-06-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to new readers who may have stumbled by here after reading the article about Sunset District blogs in the San Francisco Chronicle. If you didn't see it, make sure to check the other local blogs mentioned:

The N Judah Chronicles
The Avenues Blog
Step Down

I started this blog because I had a quite a few photos of the neighborhood I had taken while I was out walking around. I just love our at times quirky architecture. The blend of Victorian, Mediterranean, and 1930's & '40's modern.

I thought other people might be interested in the same things I am. The little details; the history of our neighborhood; funny things like mis-spelled street names.

Is it Pink?

2008-06-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

It is no secret to people who know me that I love the color pink. Is this building pink?

I'm not sure, but it really brightens up a foggy day in the Sunset.

I love the paint job and the little details that have been kept. Like these garage door opening guards.

Here's the front entrance:

Look up and there is a wealth of little details.

Minor Mysteries Solved

2008-06-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

While I was looking for a map to see when street sweeping occurs on the far away block I parked my vehicle, I discovered what this building is. Just a substation. A pink substation.

This vault cover at 37th and Judah made me wonder.

Why would City College be linked all the way out here? Probably obvious to most, but CCSF, which I always associate with the school, really stands for City and County of San Francisco and DTIS is the Department of Technology and Information Services. Perhaps it's a link to the N Shelter which announces when the trains are allegedly coming?

Thirty Something

2008-06-12T19:27:00.001-07:00

What's wrong with this?

Well, I was standing at this corner:

It's not actually a typo. Just looks like the "thirty" got filled in when the ramp was built.