Western Neighborhoods Project

A group of boys chat with the driver of a Rickenbacker automobile at Stanyan and Belgrave in 1923. In the distance, you can see St. Ignatius Church and Lone Mountain.

[Photo courtesy of a Private Collector & WNP / OpenSFHistory, wnp15.1448]

On the latest episode of the "Outside Lands San Francisco" podcast, Rebekah Kim is joined by special guest Peter Hartlaub for Short Stack No. 29 in which they chat about the history of Bay to Breakers and how it became the chaotic race we know today. We also look back at what was in the news 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago on the day the episode aired!

Get to know the origins of this classic San Francisco spectacle on Episode 602, which you can listen to at your convenience through our website: https://outsidelands.org/podcast/WNP602_Short_Stack_No_29

You can also find us on Spotify, iTunes, and wherever else you get your pods from, or streaming on weekends via Sutro Tower on KSFP 102.5FM thanks to Mel Baker and San Francisco Public Press.

[Photo of an Olympic Club runner crossing the finish line of what may be an early Bay to Breakers race in the 1920s; courtesy of a Private Collector & WNP / OpenSFHistory, wnp4.0913]

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

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.

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

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:

WNP Tuesday Talk: The 1906 Earthquake and Fire at 120 Historian John Martini provides an illustrated presentation on this epic SF disaster to launch WNP's free lunchtime webinar series.