Growing up in Golden Gate Heights - Revision history

Roryc: changed credit on''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library'photo which came from CR collection

2016-09-26T10:04:48Z

changed credit on''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library'photo which came from CR collection

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:04, 26 September 2016
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	'''West from Golden Gate Heights near Pacheco and Funston. Shriners' Hospital at far right, January 16, 1928.'''		'''West from Golden Gate Heights near Pacheco and Funston. Shriners' Hospital at far right, January 16, 1928.'''

	''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, courtesy ~~Charles Ruiz~~ collection''		''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, courtesy C.R. collection''

	In 1940 there was a peacetime draft. The Army put a base on top of the hill where there was a little city park now called Sunset Heights Park. There were two anti aircraft guns installed on the two bluffs and a barracks at the end of 12th Ave that housed about 12 or 14 troops. There was always a jeep and a 4x4 truck parked there. The ranking officer was a Sergeant. That became my hangout whenever I had free time, which was usually.		In 1940 there was a peacetime draft. The Army put a base on top of the hill where there was a little city park now called Sunset Heights Park. There were two anti aircraft guns installed on the two bluffs and a barracks at the end of 12th Ave that housed about 12 or 14 troops. There was always a jeep and a 4x4 truck parked there. The ranking officer was a Sergeant. That became my hangout whenever I had free time, which was usually.

Roryc: changed credit on ''''''East from 21st Avenue at Pacheco Street with Golden Gate Heights in the distance, February 16, 1928.''''photo which came from CR collection

2016-09-26T09:55:56Z

changed credit on ''''''East from 21st Avenue at Pacheco Street with Golden Gate Heights in the distance, February 16, 1928.''''photo which came from CR collection

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:55, 26 September 2016
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	'''East from 21st Avenue at Pacheco Street with Golden Gate Heights in the distance, February 16, 1928.'''		'''East from 21st Avenue at Pacheco Street with Golden Gate Heights in the distance, February 16, 1928.'''

	''Photo: SFDPW, courtesy ~~Charles Ruiz~~ collection''		''Photo: SFDPW, courtesy C.R. collection''

	I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.		I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.

Ccarlsson: added Charles Ruiz photo

2014-07-12T05:39:48Z

added Charles Ruiz photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 11 July 2014
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	''by [http://northbeachbook.com/default.aspx Dick Boyd]''		''by [http://northbeachbook.com/default.aspx Dick Boyd]''

			[[Image:East-from-21st-Ave-at-Pacheco-St-Golden-Gate-Hts-in-distance-Feb-16-1928-SFDPW.jpg\|720px]]

			'''East from 21st Avenue at Pacheco Street with Golden Gate Heights in the distance, February 16, 1928.'''

			''Photo: SFDPW, courtesy Charles Ruiz collection''

	I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.		I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.

Ccarlsson: added Charles Ruiz photo

2014-07-12T05:35:11Z

added Charles Ruiz photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:35, 11 July 2014
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	''Photo: Chris Carlsson''		''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

			[[Image:West-from-Golden-Gate-Heights-near-Pacheco-and-Funston-Shriners-Hospital-at-far-right-Jan-16-1928-SFPL.jpg\|720px]]

			'''West from Golden Gate Heights near Pacheco and Funston. Shriners' Hospital at far right, January 16, 1928.'''

			''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, courtesy Charles Ruiz collection''

	In 1940 there was a peacetime draft. The Army put a base on top of the hill where there was a little city park now called Sunset Heights Park. There were two anti aircraft guns installed on the two bluffs and a barracks at the end of 12th Ave that housed about 12 or 14 troops. There was always a jeep and a 4x4 truck parked there. The ranking officer was a Sergeant. That became my hangout whenever I had free time, which was usually.		In 1940 there was a peacetime draft. The Army put a base on top of the hill where there was a little city park now called Sunset Heights Park. There were two anti aircraft guns installed on the two bluffs and a barracks at the end of 12th Ave that housed about 12 or 14 troops. There was always a jeep and a 4x4 truck parked there. The ranking officer was a Sergeant. That became my hangout whenever I had free time, which was usually.

Ccarlsson: added Dick's website linked to his name

2010-07-15T01:02:55Z

added Dick's website linked to his name

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 14 July 2010
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	'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>"I was there..."</font></font> </font>'''		'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>"I was there..."</font></font> </font>'''

	''by Dick Boyd''		''by [http://northbeachbook.com/default.aspx Dick Boyd]''

	I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.		I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.

Ccarlsson: added photos, copy edits

2010-07-15T01:00:06Z

added photos, copy edits

Show changes

Dick boyd: added to Sunset navigational loop

2010-07-13T23:02:48Z

added to Sunset navigational loop

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 13 July 2010
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	As Porky Pig use to say, “Tha’ tha’ tha’ that’s all folks!”		As Porky Pig use to say, “Tha’ tha’ tha’ that’s all folks!”

			[[Grandview Park\|Prev. Document]] [[The Italian Vegetable Gardens\|Next Document]]

	[[category:Sunset]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:Roads]] [[category:habitat]] [[category:species]] [[category:Ecology]]		[[category:Sunset]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:Roads]] [[category:habitat]] [[category:species]] [[category:Ecology]]

Dick boyd: added link

2010-07-13T22:57:33Z

added link

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 13 July 2010
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	The hill was a great place to hide if you wanted to. One time for reasons long since forgotten I was mad at my folks. I threatened to run away. So as usual my dad packed a bag, showed me to the door and bade me good luck. Ah but this time I had a plan! I walked down to 10th Ave crossed over on to Mendoza and up the hill to the water tank. Then I went down the side of the hill and hid in the bushes where I had a bird’s eye view of my house and the front porch. I knew my dad was going to sweat me out. It got dark and lights went on in the living room. My mom came out a couple times but never rang her school bell or called my name. I could see my dad in his chair reading the evening paper. Ah success! I was punishing them for whatever transgression they may have inflicted on me. Finally my dad came out and looked around. Oh yes it was working! I had showed them! I was patient though and wanted to continue the punishment. Soon a black and white came up to the house and a cop went to the door. My dad and the cop came outside and had a discussion of some sort. Well I hadn’t expected this turn of events. Now I’m thinking I may have pushed the envelope too far. I decided it was time to end their punishment and hopefully before I really got punished. So I went to the house and rang the bell. My mom answered and I could see her relief. Little Dickie was back. She softly scolded me about this kind of behavior as it really made her worry. I don’t recall what my dad said but I know I didn’t get a spanking. I also didn’t extract any words that indicated he was worried. I guess I had proved a point if only to myself.		The hill was a great place to hide if you wanted to. One time for reasons long since forgotten I was mad at my folks. I threatened to run away. So as usual my dad packed a bag, showed me to the door and bade me good luck. Ah but this time I had a plan! I walked down to 10th Ave crossed over on to Mendoza and up the hill to the water tank. Then I went down the side of the hill and hid in the bushes where I had a bird’s eye view of my house and the front porch. I knew my dad was going to sweat me out. It got dark and lights went on in the living room. My mom came out a couple times but never rang her school bell or called my name. I could see my dad in his chair reading the evening paper. Ah success! I was punishing them for whatever transgression they may have inflicted on me. Finally my dad came out and looked around. Oh yes it was working! I had showed them! I was patient though and wanted to continue the punishment. Soon a black and white came up to the house and a cop went to the door. My dad and the cop came outside and had a discussion of some sort. Well I hadn’t expected this turn of events. Now I’m thinking I may have pushed the envelope too far. I decided it was time to end their punishment and hopefully before I really got punished. So I went to the house and rang the bell. My mom answered and I could see her relief. Little Dickie was back. She softly scolded me about this kind of behavior as it really made her worry. I don’t recall what my dad said but I know I didn’t get a spanking. I also didn’t extract any words that indicated he was worried. I guess I had proved a point if only to myself.

	The flowers I remember were the Lilies, probably planted by my mother or neighbors after Easter, California Poppies, California Buttercups, California Fuchsia’s, California Goldfields, Lupines and the Indian Paint Brush, however there were many others. There was lots of Black Berry bushes and some other berries that my mom made jelly with. The bushes were probably California Coyote Brush and others types of brush whose name I can’t recall. There was also Poison Oak. I seemed to be immune to it but my poor brother wasn’t. Occasionally a group of men from somewhere else would go up to the top by the water tanks and then by shouting and beating the bushes drove the rabbits to the bottom where others were waiting with clubs to kill them. This greatly disturbed me but as my mom explained it was the depression. People needed food. She had a way with words. Secretly I hoped they would all get Poison Oak!		The flowers I remember were the Lilies, probably planted by my mother or neighbors after Easter, California Poppies, California Buttercups, California Fuchsia’s, California Goldfields, Lupines and the Indian Paint Brush, however there were many others. There was lots of Black Berry bushes and some other berries that my mom made jelly with. The bushes were probably California Coyote Brush and others types of brush whose name I can’t recall. There was also Poison Oak. I seemed to be immune to it but my poor brother wasn’t. Occasionally a group of men from somewhere else would go up to the top by the water tanks and then by shouting and beating the bushes [[Rabbit Hunting in the Sunset\|drove the rabbits]] to the bottom where others were waiting with clubs to kill them. This greatly disturbed me but as my mom explained it was the depression. People needed food. She had a way with words. Secretly I hoped they would all get Poison Oak!

	Sometimes men would come by and ask her to work for food. She always obliged with some small task outside and provided them with a sandwich of some kind, a glass of milk and maybe an apple or pear. I think a lot of them slept in the abundant open space in the area.		Sometimes men would come by and ask her to work for food. She always obliged with some small task outside and provided them with a sandwich of some kind, a glass of milk and maybe an apple or pear. I think a lot of them slept in the abundant open space in the area.

Dick boyd at 22:47, 13 July 2010

2010-07-13T22:47:36Z

Show changes

Dick boyd: in progress

2010-07-13T22:15:54Z

in progress

New page

''' "I was there..." '''

''by Dick Boyd''

I first set my knees and hands on the ground on Otsego Street in the Excelsior District. When I was two (1932) my Dad purchased a two-bed room, one bath house at 140 Quintara Street in the GG Heights. It had been built in 1919. The price was $5,000 bucks. The mortgage was $37 a month. There was a great big house about the same age and just a little more expensive in neighboring Forest Hills. We didn’t buy it because my Mom balked at paying the Forest Hill Assn $7 bucks a month for maintaining the trees, median strips etc. My dad had a large room added on in the back for $500. It served as the bedroom for all of us. At night we used pots stashed under the bed to pee, as there was only one bathroom in the main house. We were supposed to empty them in the toilet but if we could get away with it, my brother and I dumped them out the side window into the lot next door.

[[Image:AAB-8759.jpg]]

'''View westerly down Quintara Avenue from 12th Avenue, January 16, 1928.'''

''Photo: San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library''

For heat we used a stand-alone coal oil burning heater, which we turned off when everyone was in bed. There was no closet added until 1942. This became my brother’s and my permanent bedroom up through 1952. My brother went in the service in 1946 but returned home in 1948 and back to the room.

My grandmother and my grandfather (when he was home) stayed in one of the inside bedrooms close to the bathroom. When my grandfather died in 1937 my grandmother remarried and moved to Oakland and my mom and dad took that room. The other was a permanent guest room or on rare occasion when someone got sick.
Usually me. Baths were a Saturday night event for my brother and me together in the same tub. During the week it was face, and hands. My brother and I only had two pairs of shoes, one for school and one for dress occasions. I often wore my brothers’ old shoes after they were half-soled. His feet were growing so fast they were usually in pretty good shape. Mom darned our socks. For heat there was a coal-burning furnace along with a coal bin in the basement. There were 5 vents to heat the house. The stove was gas but had a trash burner that we used in the mornings to heat the kitchen/breakfast room. Toast was made in the lower oven/broiler. My mom’s iron was heated on the stove and she used starch on my dad’s collars and cuffs. There was no refrigerator early on. We had an Icebox. The Iceman delivered the ice as the milkman delivered our milk and coal man delivered our coal.

Our diet was usually pretty stable. For breakfast it was Cream-o-Wheat except on weekends when my mom would fix bacon or ham and eggs with waffles or Aunt Jamimah’s pancakes and of course potato patties from left over dinners. I couldn’t partake of the eggs as the Dr’s said it would/could cause an asthma attack. (It wasn’t until the 60’s that I learned that my asthma attacks were triggered by molds on the linoleum floors in the back bedroom!) There was little waste in our house. For lunch for me it was peanut butter and jelly up through Jr. High and I still like PBJ sandwiches. My afternoon snack was soda crackers smothered in real butter with sugar sprinkled on top. For dinner we always had fresh vegetables. Usually peas, carrots, string beans or spinach. Potatoes were the staple with our evening meal usually baked. During WWII we grew some of the veggies in our victory garden in the back yard. Our meat was usually lamb chops. Sometimes we had pork chops or hamburger steak as my mom called it and sometimes on Sunday a ham. I had my first real steak in 1950. Another staple was “Creamed Chip Beef.” The military had another term for it (SOS) not fit for print in this publication. As many of you my age and older will remember it was a no frills era and there was no TV to tell us that others may be eating better. There was a poor table at West Portal School where kids could put their lunch if they didn’t want it. These were usually kids from St Francis Woods who then could go down to West Portal and buy something different like a milk shake and hamburger. Sometimes I would “exchange” my PBJ for another sandwich like maybe a baloney or ham sandwich. Later when I was in the 4th 5th and 6th grades weather permitting we ate in the yards outside.