The San Francisco call. [volume], August 11, 1907, Page 6, Image 6

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
EIGHTH INSTALLMENT
OF RARE PHOTOGRAPHS
OF OLD SAN FRANCISCO
IF; you are one of thosa -who have had the good luck to witness a> party ox
San Franciscans starting oat for fan la earlier days, yon knew their objective
point without asking and the name of that destination will bring & flood of
memories to both young and old. For nearly all these fen levins expeditions
wended their, way as direct as the crow flies, or as they could, to th« old Wood
ward's gardens on. Mission street, the delight and joy of every oobn b who ev*r
beheld them. .
-. Woodward's gardens was spelled with *> capital Wto the. children. Jfany
an urchin has scampered along the broad paths to the pagoda at the top of the *
hill, or raced and ran in the big pavilion till he was tired out. or viewed th» 4
aquarium, and monkeys, .and seals, and .the bears and the camels with parted
lips and shining, eyes. But, the most delicious joy of all— and one which c*n
never be forgotten — was the ride in the circular boat which waited ealmiy on
the surface of the lake till the start was made, and the air echoing with th«
triumphant shouts of as many youngsters as the* big boat would hold. Ail
the boat circled round, never leaving the ec"ge, the children grasped fOT tha
pond .lilies which floated so tantalizing near, but whether they suce#ed9fi In
getting them or not nothing could dampen the delightful momenta of that
boat ride. . j
/The gardens fwere opened In the early td'a by R. B. Woodward, wtios* pri
vate house is shown In one of the pictures. This dwelling afterward boons*
the museum, whera all sorts of quaint, curious and wonderful things were
housed. An adml»c',CTj fee was always charged, and so It cams about that with
the opening of Go/idea Qate park with free admission the popularity of th«
gardens waned till'Sn^lly about 10 years ago the gates were permanently ele««d.
It was a pity— for what with the animals, the birds, the broad, sun dr*nea«d
paths, and the many buildings given over to various diversions th« pl*r*
seemed typical of the city, and of its laughter loving; easy, going population.
But the name lives, and recalls memories 'still.
Another: picture shows a corner of Portsmouth square, ortgiaally teerwn
asthe plaza, "before the gringo came." . On the arrival of the American* It was
given the name of Portsmouth in honor of the warship then In th« bay at t>.»
.'time Stockton entered California and Sloat sailed for Monterey. The old Bella
Union stands on one side, the Orst really disreputable resort. of the city A tlt
tle farther, on was Brenham place, whence all the flre alarms wer« sonßded.
.Next to Frank's, the old building opposite the flagpole, are dwelling houses
and stores. There were no Chinese about the plasa In those days. They cam*
later. . .
An odd feature of the square was the long line of hacks and carriages
which always stood in a row along Kearny street. From their perches the
•flrivers solicited .fares. Of tener a drowsy cabmtn would b* seen fast asleep
; Inside: his vehicle.-^; \u25a0 •-. .1 -:'**• f" v;V :''"' ---.•- y- : /,<•- ' :: +
yhe San Franoisco Sunday CalL