San Franshishky Cable Cars
San Francisco! It is famous for its cable cars. The few that remain are mostly tourist attractions, but back in the old days the locals used them as transportation up and down those steep hills. This is before Judge Doom convinced everyone that they needed to drive their own cars.
First up is this photo from January 31, 1943, showing a cable car as it turned around at the end of Powell and Market Street. It seems amazing that one of those cable cars could be turned by three men.
Next is this 1948 photo; I was surprised to read that some residents of S.F. think that the preservation and maintenance of the cable cars costs too much. Let's just remove everything that is cool or historical!
And finally, a photo from August, 1953. It looks like a scene from a movie. "The Many Loves of Major Pepperidge", starring Cary Grant as me.
17 comments:
Major-
Where's the Rice-a-Roni-?? It IS the San Francisco treat, after all.
Thanks, Major.
Wow, this photo from 1943 is sure clear and crisp, in fact, they all are. Deep saturated colors, too. It looks like they already turned the car around and are pushing it off the turntable. I would like to think that at least some of the locals ride the cable cars, as well as the tourists, to get from here to there.
In the second photo, the sign on the building says "Kenilworth". Maybe a hotel? I think it would be neat to ride the cable car while standing on the running board; they're probably not allowed to do that anymore.
In the third photo, several people are hanging onto their hats, it must have been windy that day. Interesting how, in 1953, most people still wore hats. I thought that fad/tradition would have ended sometime in the forties. I was two months old when this photo was taken (or processed), so I probably was not wearing a hat... I'm a trend setter!
Nanook, I tried Rice-a-Roni a couple of times in years past (not recently). It was OK, but I wasn't overly fond of the texture. The texture of the rice clashes with that of the 'roni'; too much starch, I guess.
Thanks for the San Francisco treats, Major.
Nice S.F. pics, Major!
Nanook, I thought Hamburger Helper was the San Francisco treat?
JB, I have never had Rice-a-Roni. Your description of it having "roni" makes perfect since, given it's name. But it's just something I never thought about. I always thought it was strictly a rice dish, but with different flavors and seasonings. Ya learn something new, everyday!
Major, whenever you post S.F. pics, it always reminds me that I have a whole tray of S.F. slides from the sixties. My parents took a trip up there with my older brother. I was either not born yet, or I was just a baby and they left me at home.....hopefully not alone! I need to buy a new scanner, and get those slides scanned, gosh darn it!
Rice-a-Roni
the San Francisco treat,
Rice-a-Roni
the flavor can't be beat!
That's because it has tons of sodium in it.
I used to love San Francisco. Such a beautiful city in a beautiful geographic setting. Even though I only live an hour away, I don't go anymore. It's not what it used to be.
Anyway, a a kid I used to go to the city by myself and ride all the lines of the cable cars and walk all over the city to various places. Couldn't beat 1970's San Francisco.
Thanks, Major.
Fine photos of a formerly lovely city. These make me sad since everything has changed so much.
I have a cable car story from 2009 that I won’t share, and it’s worse since.
Rice-a-Roni is a quick cooking mix based on Armenian pilaf (there are many variations around that region, Greek, Iranian, Indian etc., Armenian is the version I was taught to make). It’s rice with spaghetti vermicelli bits broken up in it (hence the maca-“roni”). I used to make the homemade version often, very simple, easier to control the seasoning and proportions. I’ll post the recipe if anyone is interested.
Thanks Major, hope you’re having a good trip.
JG
JB, The Kenilworth is an apartment building in San Francisco, 648 Bush Street. Still there, see Googel maps.
It’s also a Norman Castle in England, which is probably why the name is popular here.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/
JG
I am just now learning that the SF cable cars balance on a central truck, since the turntable is much smaller than the car body.
Agreed that it's a real shame the city has gone downhill so quickly. I've never had the opportunity to visit, and I'm guessing whatever restoration happens will take decades and will leave a city very different than the one previous. Much like NYC in the 90s-00s was safe again, but nothing like the pre-60s.
@ JB-
(As JG mentioned) - the Kenilworth is located in the Lower Nob Hill Apartment Hotel District, on the south slope of Nob Hill. It was built in 1907, following the earthquake ["or should I say fire"] the previous year.
Maybe we should "86" the Rice-a-Roni and just stick with Gallo Salame®... "You wouldn't say 'Frisco' - Oh, No-! So don't say salami say Gallo..." Some jingles are just timeless.
One pan, no boiling, cooking ease,
A flavor that is sure to please...
Sounds like "The Many Loves of Major Pepperidge" co-stars Sid Dithers.
During my stay in the Bay Area late 60s through the 90s, going into SF via BART was a full day of walking and enjoying The City. And yes, I made it a point to ride the cable car running board at the front of the car. THAT was the SF experience. No idea what I would think of it today. I'll just keep my memories of it and Tony Bennett. KS
Tokyo!, see JG's description of Rice-a-Roni.
JG and Nanook, thanks for the info and link. And here I thought it was the manufacturing plant where Ken-L Ration was invented. Live and learn.
A few days ago in YOUTUBE I watch some historical footage from 1929 of the oldest cable car line last few days of operation and the “last revenue “ car parade and celebration of the line’s closing by the city. I’m sorry I don’t have a link - but it’s worth the search and a watch . What was so remarkable is that despite it being from 1929 it was in SOUND and the quality looked like it was filmed last year!!
This was the line that operated the open grip car and the enclosed “dummy” car trailer . These cable cars were from the 1870’s and despite how historic they were only ONE set was saved. It’s still on display today at the cable car museum.
Another interest item of the rare 1929 sound footage shows how the cars turn around without the use of a turntable and shows the gripmen and conductors uncouple the enclosed car and re-hook it up with chains and the use of special pole hooks .
I remember seeing a foot network bit about RICE A RONI and that company had its highest sales of the product in the 1970’s …. It was given the roni part of the name because of the very large Italian population not often well known about San Francisco.
Gavin Newscum greatly helped destroy San Francisco when he was its mayor. He is currently trying to to the same to California as Govenor . WARNING: he has all intentions of doing what he did to San Francisco & California to the rest of the UNITED STATES as he has aspirations for the presidency . KEEP THAT IN MIND when the time comes.
I would ride the cable cars to work when I first moved to the city, me and lots of school kids. Was wonderful to use them as actual transportation (Pro trip, board them on any stop except the turnaround for no lines).
Off topic, but a moment of respect for the late, great Jim Korkis, a name all Disneyland fans should know for all the knowledge he brought to the Disney history community.
MS
Fun fact, the California Street line doesn’t have turntables. The cars are double-ended and have grips at each end.
JG
MS - Sad to hear about Jim Korkis. I always enjoyed his bbooks. Sounds like he had a bad year.
I'm sad to hear of Jim Korkis' passing. I was hoping he might pull through but I was kind of expecting this sad news. I've read and enjoyed so many of his books. RIP, Jim.
San Franshishky? How'd you come? Did you drove 'n did you flew?
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