Wellsbaum.blog

Writing about life and arts

Golden Gate City: San Francisco (1939)

Image taken during the San Francisco World’s Fair 1939

A few weeks ago, I blogged about a trip through New York City in 1911. This week’s archival videos goes back in time to San Francisco, 1939.

Some observations:

  • The cable cars ran on cables because the city’s hills were so steep. They also required ‘turntables’ (first time I’ve heard the term not in reference to hip-hop) to flip them around the other way. Both the cable car and trolleys (slightly different) are both staples of SF to this day.
  • The SF Mint factory not only produced US coins but also those for the Philippines. As they said about the California Gold Rush in 1849, “If you want to make money in a gold rush, sell shovels.”
  • I wonder if those golf courses looking over the Golden Gate still exist?
  • The seals of SF still lounge like royalty and sure run the show

Heed the motto: “San Francisco by the Golden Gate. City upon memories and visions of progress for tomorrow.”

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