Outside Lands San Francisco

Lake Merced has been an important area of San Francisco before there even was a San Francisco. This week, we chronicle the pre-European history, Spanish settlement, and the emergence of Lake Merced as an important San Francisco resource.

The Jesse B. Cook collection at the Bancroft Library is an amazing assortment of photos and ephemera spanning early 20th century San Francisco. Jesse Cook himself also has a fascinating, but complicated history. Learn how he compiled this cherished collection as one of San Francisco's earliest and prolific scrapbookers.

There is another large outdoor cross in San Francisco, and this one is in Golden Gate Park. As a bonus, this one comes with its own water feature. Today's Pod covers the origins and construction of Prayerbook Cross and Rainbow Falls.

The western themed, Fun-Tier Town was added to Playland at the Beach in 1960. It featured rides that were designed to be enjoyed by younger children. And for special occasions, there was a large room in a western motif, where parents could purchase a party package (food and favors) that could host 20 or more sugar-fueled screaming kids.

McCoppin Square Park is likely the oldest public park in the Outside Lands. But who was McCoppin? Why is a park in the Sunset named after him? Nicole and Michael explore the history of this groundbreaking parcel of land.

Golden Gate Park was home to several refugee camps in the aftermath of the '06 Quake & Fire. Richmond District historian John Freeman joins the Pod to share his extensive research on the Park sites that sheltered thousands of San Franciscans.

Over 1000 images of the SF music scene from the 70s and 80s have been added to OpenSFHistory.org. The photographer who captured images of the Grateful Dead, Santana, the Rolling Stones, and many more, Greg Gaar joins the pod to share stories of his life and work.

San Francisco in the 60s gave rise to the counter-culture movement and Gary Warne was front and center. The Pod this week welcomes author John Law, who knew Gary and recalls the underground places and events that shape San Francisco to this day.

When the Cliff House suddenly closed in December 2020, its collection of treasures from Sutro Baths, Playland, and the Cliff House itself were put up for auction. Learn how a scrappy group of like-minded preservationists banded together to save some of the most significant pieces of the collection and what's next for the collection.

We take another virtual stroll down a Richmond District business corridor, Balboa Street. Where else but on this Pod can you visit both beloved, but lost businesses and learn about those that endure to this day? Become a WNP member and join us on the live podcast each week, plus other great benefits of membership. http://outsidelands.org