Western Neighborhoods Project

06/03/2026

We at WNP are grieving the loss of our dear friend Michael Durand (seen here with Executive Director Nicole Meldahl), who passed away over the weekend.

As Editor of the SF Richmond Review and Sunset SF Sunset Beacon newspapers, Michael was an indelible member of the western neighborhoods. A mentor of many and friend to all, he was also an incredible, selfless supporter of our community history work--covering WNP's public programs and regularly featuring historic photos from our OpenSFHistory archive. He will be impossible to replace, but the work he did while with us has made our community and future history so much richer We'll be forever grateful to him fo all he gave.

Michael was a guest on our "Outside Lands San Francisco" podcast in 2023, and we encourage you to listen and learn more about this lovely man from the man himself: https://outsidelands.org/podcast/WNP518_Michael_Durand

04/21/2026

UPCOMING EVENT. This Saturday, April 25th at 10:00am, join WNP for a guided history walk along the Bay and Coastal Trails skirting the bluff tops of Fort Winfield Scott with historian and retired National Park Service ranger John Martini!

This easy outdoor walk will show you old military batteries near the Golden Gate Bridge, and some of the best views is San Francisco. We look forward to seeing you there, History Friends.

Tickets are $10 for WNP Members (and we absorb your fees), $20 for Non-Members. Learn more and save your spot on the tour using the Eventbrite link in this post.

Former National Park Service Ranger and historian John Martini leads you on a guided WNP tour of old batteries near the Golden Gate Bridge.

04/14/2026

WNP is launching a new webinar series called Tuesday Talks that bring San Francisco historians and other experts to you, starting TODAY, April 14th, at Noon!

Join us as retired National Park Service Ranger and historian John Martini presents an illustrated talk on the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire 120 years after it rocked our city in the wee morning hours of April 18th. Using photos from our OpenSFHistsory archive and beyond, he'll explore how San Franciscans survived the disaster, and what the city did to support them and rebuild.

This Zoom webinar is FREE; RSVP through Eventbrite in advance is requred to receive the Zoom link:

Historian John Martini provides an illustrated presentation on this epic SF disaster to launch WNP's free lunchtime webinar series.

03/10/2026

In May 1923, as a promotion, Kissel arranged for one of its Model 55 cars to be driven from Merced to Yosemite Valley with its transmission locked in high gear.

In the car were Carl Borgen, driver, L.D. Whitehurst, San Francisco sales manager, and Charles H. Holdson, pilot. This photo, taken on Pacific near Locust, is probably from a similar test in August that yearwhen the car was run over "the Pacific Avenue hill" in high gear.

[Photo courtesy of a Private Collector & WNP / OpenSFHistory, wnp15.1347] # History

03/06/2026

If you're in the city on Sunday, we hope you'll join WNP in celebrating the launch of this lovely book by incredible women on International Women's Day!

We'll share what we love about Golden Gate Park alongside remarks from other all-star park community members. As an added bonus, WNP is rebroadcasting Episode No. 447 of the "Outside Lands San Francisco" podcast with Nancy Botkin on Bernice Rodgers that day. Bernice was a groundbreaking Rec & Park employee who was later honored with a street named for her in Golden Gate Park.

We're so honored to be part of this very special, TOTALLY FREE event, and hope to see you there!

03/05/2026

Before there was Laurel Village Shopping Center, we had Roselli House of Famous Food at 3601 California Street, seen here around 1951.

[Photo from the SF Assessors Office Negatives / OpenSFHistory, wnp58.701]

03/04/2026

UPCOMING EVENT. On Saturday, March 14 at 11am, WNP Book Club returns at Problem Library for a salon-style book discussion where we chat about things we read, make art, listen to music and see history.

This quarter, we're reading "The Sea-Wolf" by Jack London (1904). Get your very own copy of the book at Green Apple Books and Music or Green Apple Books on the Park at a 10% discount because they are awesome and read along with us!

But what does this have to do with the west side you ask? We chose "The Sea-Wolf" to start the year because it was written by one of California's most celebrated writers who was also part of a vibrant bohemian community that hung out at Carville by the Sea and had a big impact on the western neighborhoods in the early 20th-century.

He's the plot: A literary critic, Humphrey Van Welden, is swept to sea when a San Francisco ferry collides with a ship in dense fog. He's rescued by Wolf Larsen, captain of the seal-hunting schooner "Ghost," and from there we experience mutiny, a lady castaway, and romance on an uninhabited island! What more could you ask for from a novel?

We'll read and/or take part in an art activity together, then enjoy complimentary light refreshments and chat about the San Francisco we discovered in the novel. Even if you didn't read the book (although we strongly recommend that you do), we bet you'll enjoy communing with neighborhood bibliophiles.

Free; RSVP appreciated using the link below but not required.

Thank you to Green Apple for being the best program partner we could ever ask for, and to the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) for sponsoring this program!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sea-wolf-book-discusion-registration-1981961268507

02/24/2026

You're looking at N-Judah streetcar #1152 inbound on 9th and Irving in 1964.

Do any of these businesses look familiar to you??

02/18/2026

UPCOMING EVENT! Join us on Thursday, February 26th at Problem Library, 6-8pm, for a casual panel discussion highlighting local businesses that repair the things we love.

WHERE: Problem Library, 1288 15th Avenue
WHEN: Thurs, Feb 26th - Doors at 6:00pm, Program at 6:30pm
TICKETS: Free, More Info & RSVP appreciated - >>>>>>>>>>
https://problemlibrary.org/event/the-art-of-repair-2/

In a culture that encourages the replacement of things when they break or wear out, we're gathering to celebrate the people who keep them going. Whether it's a watch, a blazer, or a vacuum, these objects are essential to our daily lives.

The owners of Ben's Watch Boutique, Roberto's Tailor, and Phil's Electric Company will be in conversation with WNP discussing the importance of their work and connecting it to the history of San Francisco. As the only west side business on the panel, we've also been preparing an upcoming podcast about Phil's on Lombard and Baker (see photo below), opened in the 1940s by Felice "Phil" Sidari (see 1940 passport photo below).

This program continues a series launched in October 2025 with Kathryn Hyde of reEnvisionRepair, a project that has interviewed and photographed more than 50 repair shops across the Bay Area, celebrating the art of preservation through the stories of those who keep things working.

We hope you can be with us to celebrate these repairers next week!

02/18/2026

Throwback Thursday: The first teacher strike in S.F. took place in 1968. It lasted one day, March 1! Mayor Joe Alioto assigned a mediator to negotiate between the union and the District, and it worked. During that one day, a Surveyor photographer captured Shop teacher Gaylen White, Business teacher Roberta Baker Thieme, and English teacher Dale Spoerer on the 30th Avenue picket line.