The Cable Car Home Page Archive
by Joe Thompson

Baltimore Cable Car Relic Destroyed - 14-Jan-2005

The Druid Hill Avenue powerhouse and carbarn of the Baltimore Traction Company, used as a warehouse to store coolers, was destroyed in a major fire.

Read Margaret Foster's story at Preservation Magazine's website: "Fire Destroys Baltimore Warehouse".

Collision at Hyde and Beach - 03-Jan-2005

The California Street line was shut down at 05:45 pm when the cable, at a bad splice, unraveled causing the various strands to "ball up." If such a strand ball got entangled in a grip, a cable car could run forward out of control.

Collision at Hyde and Beach - 15-Oct-2004

On Friday afternoon, car 5 could not stop while descending the hill towards Beach. It ran into cars 9 and 4, which were laying over. Some passengers on 5 and the crew on 9 were injured; 4 was empty.

Christopher Cantrall was on car 5. He reports that "I was ok, and nobody was seriously injured, just some minor bruises and such. We were packed in tight enough to act as human airbags...ironically enough, I had mentioned the human airbags factor earlier on the ride when people complained about the conditions being cramped." He goes on to report that he didn't notice any feeling of the brakes being applied or feel the car slow down before the collision. He returned about 40 minutes later to find someone there investigating. Thanks to Chris for sharing his observations.

MSR Open House - 03-Oct-2004

Market Street Railway held its annual open house the Mint Yard. I enjoyed meeting Rick Laubscher in person. Walter Rice was there. The highlight for me was a ride through the Sunset Tunnel in 228, the open boat car from Blackpool. We rode 952 from New Orleans up the J line; the motorman was Peter Ehrlich. Unfortunately, when the crew went to change ends to return, there was a loud pop and a flash and the pole proved to be dead. We rode a Breda back, but not before Val Lupiz met us on his way to work.

Cable Shutdowns - 22/23-Sep-2004

With the outer portion of the Powell/Mason line shut down for turntable replacement, loose strands on the Hyde Street rope shut down the rest of the Powell Street system on two consecutive days. This also forced an early closure of the California Street line, which uses tracks on Hyde and Washington to return to the barn.

Bay and Taylor Turntable Replacement - 13-Sep-2004

The Powell/Mason line is replaced by shuttle buses from the cable car barn to Fisherman's Wharf while the Bay and Taylor turntable is replaced.

Muni Systemwide Operator of the Month - 31-Jul-2004

Muni's Systemwide Runner Up Operator of the Month for July, 2004 is gripman and author Val Lupiz. Val is an excellent gripman and a great public relations asset for Muni and the City of San Francisco. Congratulations, Val.

42nd Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest - 08-Jul-2004

Frank Ware, 1999 champ, won the 2004 Bell Ringing contest. See photos of all the finalists.

20th Anniversary of the Great Reconstruction - 21-Jun-2004

There was a party at the cable car barn to mark the 20th anniversary of the return of the cable cars after the Great Reconstruction. I was stuck at work.

Cal Cable Shutdown - 17-May-2004

The California Street cable cars shut down today for various improvements. The shutdown is scheduled to last until 25-May-2004, and delays may continue until 11-Jun-2004.

Arnold S Gridley - 08-May-2004

Arnold S Gridley, San Francisco entrepeneur, has passed away. Member of a pioneering California family and a San Francisco native, Gridley was most famous for his motorized cable cars. In the 1950's, when the city was selling surplus former Cal Cable cars, Gridley bought several of them and mounted them on truck chassis. His company, Cable Car Charters, also found and motorized two former Sacramento/Clay cars.

Friends of the Cable Car Museum Board Change - 10-Feb-2004

Walter Rice, who served on the Board of The Friends of the Cable Car Museum since 1995 and during the majority of his Board tenure as Chair, and was largely responsible for their excellent website, is no longer associated with the Friends. Walter, who has written extensively about cable cars and San Francisco transportation, will provide material for this website, for which I am grateful.

All Star Bell Ringing Contest - 12-Dec-2003

After the holiday luncheon the first annual All Star Bell Ringing Contest was held in the Cable Car Barn. The All Stars included every bell ringing contest champion since 1967. The winners:

• 1st Place-Carl Payne
• 2nd Place Al Quintana
• 3rd Place-Peter Palukevich

Other competitors included Al Davidson, Tom O'Brien, Dennis McCoy, and Mike McClure.

26th Annual Cable Car Senior Luncheon - 12-Dec-2003

The people of the Cable Car Division put on a holiday luncheon for more than 150 senior citizens in the gymnasium of the Chinatown Recreation Center, across the street from the Cable Car Barn. Ken Foster and Val Lupiz were co-chairmen. Entertainment included live music.

Thank you to the people who bought raffle tickets and made all this possible.

Cable Car Senior Luncheon Raffle Tickets - 01-Nov-2003

Every December for about ten years, the men and women of the Cable Car Division have put on a holiday luncheon and entertainment for a large group of senior citizens from San Francisco retirement homes. They do this on their own, without financial support from Muni or the City.

A beautifully mounted conductor's bell autographed by champion ringers Carl Payne, Byron Cobb, Frank Ware, and Ken Lunardi. Photo by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved.

In order to raise funds this year, they are having an auction. Prizes are expected to include three conductor's bells signed by champion bell ringers (Carl Payne, Ken Lunardi, Byron Cobb, Frank Ware, and current champ Ronald East), autographed Giants memorabilia, a charter ride on a decorated cable car, and a limousine ride chauferred by Carl Payne, with dinner for two.

If you want to buy tickets to support this worthy cause, please email Val Lupiz at valgripNOSPAM@aol.com (Take out NOSPAM).

40th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest- 16-Oct-2003

Ronald East won the 40th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest.

See my page about the Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest for details.

Saddati Ahmad Retires - 27-Jul-2003
Cable Car Division's Head Instructor, Saddati Ahmad, retired. Cable Car Division employees speak highly of him as a teacher who demanded the best from everyone. I had the honor to meet him briefly at the Cal Cable 125th birthday party.

Cal Cable Shutdown - 13-Jun-2003
KCBS Radio reported that the California Street line was shut down because of a "broken cable". This was probably a bad splice.

Accident at Powell and Pine - 04-Jun-2003
An inbound car on the Powell Street Hill hit an auto that may have run the red light at Pine Street. Newspaper accounts report that seven to nine passengers were injured, none seriously. KCBS Radio reported that the gripman had failed to activate a signal preemption device, but I think that the device is completely automatic, tripped by the grip shank.

Carnaval Parade - 25-May-2003
Gripman Val Lupiz decorated and drove motorized cable car 62 (former Cal Cable Jones Street shuttle car 61) in San Francisco's annual Carnaval Parade. San Francisco has Carnaval after Lent instead of before, hoping to have warmer weather. Thanks to Val for sharing this photo.

Motorized car 62 at the 2003 Carnaval Parade in the Mission District. Photo by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved.

California Street Accident - 11-May-2003
There was an accident on California Street near Larkin when car 57, unable to release its grip because of mechanical problems, struck a cab which had stopped on the tracks. The cab driver and one passenger suffered minor injuries.

New Cable Car Book - 30-Apr-2003

I just finished reading an excellent new book by Walter Rice and Emiliano Echeverria: San Francisco's California Street Cable Car/Celebrating a Century and a Quarter of Service. Until I read this, I did not really understand how the California and Hyde car barn worked. Excellent photos, maps and diagrams. You can purchase it from the Franciscan Hobby Shop (1935 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco), the Western Railway Museum, or e-mail Walter Rice @ CalCable@hotmail.com. $12.50

Cal Cable's 125th Birthday - 10-Apr-2003
There was a nice party to celebrate the 125th birthday of the California Street Cable Railroad. I replaced my news item about it with an illustrated article on its own page.

Anti-War Protest - 20-Mar-2003
Big protests on the first day of the Second Persian Gulf War shut down much of downtown San Francisco. Powell Street cars operated from the car barn to the outer terminals. California Street cars did not operate at all. The protesters made their headquarters in Justin Herman Plaza, right next to the inner terminal. The F line was also taken out of service. Some of the elitist protesters lost potential supporters because they showed that they didn't care that their actions hurt small businesses and took $900,000 a day from school children, people with AIDS, the homeless, and public transit. Cable car service was restored on Saturday, but was interrupted during the day by another burst of protesters.

Anti-War Protest - 16-Feb-2003
A group broke away from the tail end of a mostly peaceful anti-war protest march on Market Street from the Embarcadero to Civic Center. The group tried to march up Powell to Union Square, but was stopped by the police. Some of the protestors climbed on top of Powell Street cable car 10. The rest of the group crossed Market to the San Francisco Center and broke store windows. They moved up Market and blocked the streetcar tracks at Eighth. Several were arrested.

Chinese New Year Parade - 15-Feb-2003
Muni had planned to have bus shuttle service on Powell up to Washington during the parade to celebrate the Year of the Ram. According to Val Lupiz, there was no service at all from Market to Jackson and Powell. Cars ran from there to the outer terminals.

Cable Car Fare Increase - 06-Jan-2003
The San Francisco Municipal Railway has proposed raising regular fares from $1.00 to $1.25 and cable car fares from $2.00 to $3.00. This renders the cable cars even less of an option for local people and makes them into more of an amusement park ride for tourists. This is not what Mrs Klussmann had in mind.

Cable Car Outage - 05-Nov-2002
KCBS Radio reported at 6 am that all cable car service was down because of a power failure at the cable car barn. I saw cars running at lunch time.

Powell Street Shutdown - 28-Oct-2002
Powell Street cable car service is scheduled to be shut down from 28-Oct-2002 to 27-Nov-2002. Passengers who wish to ride the Powell/Mason or Powell/Hyde lines will be able to catch a shuttle bus from Powell and Market to the cable car barn at Washington and Mason. Regular cable car service will operate from there to the outer terminals. Work will be done around the Powell/Market terminal to replace the turntable. Other work will be done at various points along Powell.

For more details, see my article about the Powell Street turntable replacement.

39th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest- 17-Oct-2002

Ken Lunardi won the 39th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest.

See my page about the Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest for details.

Assault on a Gripman - 06-Sep-2002
The gripman on an outbound California Street car reprimanded a man who had jumped onto the car while it was in motion near Montgomery. The rider attacked the gripman, knocking him from the car and fracturing his skull. The conductor, who was also hurt in the attack, had to stop the car. No passengers were injured.

Iron Pergola Rededicated - 17-Aug-2002
Seattle's Iron Pergola, waiting room for the Yesler Way and James Street cable car lines, was destroyed by a truck on 15-Jan-2001. After a complete rebuilding and strengthening, the pergola was rededicated on 17-Aug-2002.

Union Square Reopening - 25-Jul-2002
Union Square reopened after an eighteen month renovation. Rita Moreno was the host. Mayor Willie L Brown Jr gave a rousing speech. Among those who participated in the ribbon cutting were Tom Sweeney, Sir Francis Drake Hotel doorman, Robert Shields, mime, and Byron Cobb, 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2001 cable car belling ringing champion. Cobb gave a brief performance after the ribbon cutting.

Byron Cobb, champion bell ringer, at the reopening of Union Square on 25-Jul-2002. Photo by Joe Thompson.

New Cable Car Book - 25-May-2002

I just finished reading an enjoyable new book, "Cable Car Confidential" by Susan Holtzer. The author said she didn't plan to write a book about cable cars, but she started riding them, started talking to the crews, started hearing all these great stories... The names of all the gripmen and conductors have been changed to protect the indecent. The book includes many of the standard stories (women double parked at the Sir Francis Drake waving for the cable car to go around; driver cuts off cable car on California near Stockton, gets clipped, claims cable car swerved into her lane), but also has many stories I hadn't heard before. I especially enjoyed the memories of the system right before the shutdown in 1982. Some chapter titles: Stupid Cable Car Tricks "We Don't Do Curb Service" Sex and the Cable Cars The Learning Curve Silly Gripmen's Tricks I enjoyed it. Visit the publisher's web page.

Cable Break - 23-May-2002
The California Street line was shut down in the afternoon by a rare cable break. Service was down until early the next morning.

62 vs the Hulk - 01-May-2002
Muni motorized cable car 62, former Cal Cable Jones Street shuttle car 61, appeared in the movie The Incredible Hulk this week. Telegraph Hill neighbors were not happy with the movie intruding on their lives.

Car 62 as part of a movie set. Photo courtesy of Susan Holzer. Copyright 2002 by Susan Holzer.

Olympic Torch Carried - 18-Jan-2002
Powell Street Car 9 carried the Olympic torch, on its way to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, up Hyde Street hill. Fannie Mae Barnes operated the grip. Rafael Cabrera was the conductor. The torch had arrived at the Hyde Street Pier aboard the scow scooner Alma.

Fill in Hallidie Plaza? - 23-Dec-2001
Mohammed Nuru, deputy director of the San Francisco Department of Public Works, said in an interview in the Chronicle that he has a "grand plan...to raise the sunken plaza to street level to deter the current problems of vagrancy, vandalism and drug dealing". This is an interesting thought, but what would happen to the tourism office and Cable Car Coffee?

On a larger note, does he think the homeless are going to vanish from the face of the earth?

Cable Car Coffee in Hallidie Plaza. November 2001. Photo by Joe Thompson.

38th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest - 19-Jul-2001
Union Square is being renovated, so the 38th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest was held at Fisherman's Wharf. Byron Cobb, 1995, 1998, and 2000 champion won again.

The professional (cable car gripman or conductor) results:
• 3. Frank Ware. 1999 champ.
• 2. Ken Lunardi. 1996 champ.
• 1. Byron Cobb. 1995, 1998, and 2000 champ.

I got stuck at work.

Seattle's Iron Pergola Destroyed

• Iron Pergola Knocked Down - 15-Jan-2001
  Someone trying to turn an 18 wheel US Xpress delivery truck near Pioneer Square clipped and knocked down Seattle's historic Iron Pergola. The pergola, built in 1909, was the terminal for two of Seattle's cable car lines. The company will pay to restore it.
• Update - 18-Jun-2002
  The five week reassembly has begun.

Wanna Buy a Cable Car? - 29-May-2001
Former Cal Cable car #13 is for sale at D. F. Barnhardt & Associates (Look under Equipment/Miscellaneous). Muni sold the car to the Shriners. It has been in Georgia since at least 1995. The seller wants $37,500.

Angel's Flight Accident - 01-Feb-2001
One car of the Angel's Flight funicular in Los Angeles, CA ran away at 12:17 pm and hit the other car. One person died, two were seriously injured, and at least five injured less seriously. See more details on the Los Angeles Area Funiculars page. The line is closed until the NTSB investigates.

Car 9 Mishap - 24-Aug-2000
I was walking down the Powell Street hill towards Sutter when I saw new car 9 for the first time. It started up the hill towards Bush and the gripman was ringing his bell furiously. I looked back and saw the car lurch to a stop near the top of the block. A motorcyclist had fallen on the tracks in front of the car. The conductor set the rear brake, climbed down, and helped him get to his feet. They pushed the bike to the curb. The motorcyclist appeared to be ok.

Because the car had stopped on the hill, it had to back down to Sutter. The conductor stood on the rear platform, ringing his bell continuously and waving cars away.

New Cable Car Book - 15-Aug-2000

I just finished reading an excellent new book by Robert Callwell and Walter Rice of the Friends of the Cable Car Museum: Of Cables and Grips: The Cable Cars of San Francisco. It has many wonderful illustrations. You can buy it at the gift shop in the museum or order it from the Friends' web site.

Car 4 at Pac Bell Park - 03-Aug-2000
The Giants unveiled old car 4 in the right field pavilion at Pac Bell Park. At Candlestick, they had a cable car bell. At Pac Bell, they have a whole cable car. Cool. See Roster for more details

37th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest - 20-Jul-2000
Byron Cobb, 1995 and 1998 champion, won the 37th annual Bell Ringing Contest at Union Square, Geary & Powell Streets, San Francisco.

I was able to attend this year. The weather, as usual, was bright and sunny. Carl Payne, 10 time winner, said that is because "God loves cable cars".

The non-profit organization results:
• 3. Christmas in April
• 2. SLUG (SF League of Urban Gardeners)
• 1. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.

The professional (cable car gripman or conductor) results:
• 3. Patrick G "Doc" Ledbetter Jr. He gave a very rhythmic performance. Receiving his trophy, he said "It's about time".
• 2. Frank Ware. 1999 champ. He was very enthusiastic and did a 360 degree spin during his performance. He said "Maybe Third next year".
• 1. Byron Cobb. 1995 and 1998 champ. He gave a powerful performance that had the crowd clapping along. He promised certain people along California Street that "I won't ring the bell so much now".

Several past champions gave exhibitions, including Payne, Al Davison (2 times), and Al Quintana (4 times).

Doctor Walter Rice, Chairman of the Friends of the Cable Car Museum, rededicated the plaque at Hallidie Plaza in honor of the 100th anniversary of Hallidie's death. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet him.

Hallidie 100th Anniversary - 24-Apr-2000
April 24th was the 100th Anniversary of Andrew S Hallidie's death. The planned commemoration has been put off until July, when it will be held along with the annual bell ringing contest. Muni rolled out new Car 9. Car 9 is painted in Market Street Railway white front colors.

Powell Street Cable Service Suspended - 27-Mar-2000
Muni announced that cable car service from Powell and Market to the car barn will be suspended from 27-March-2000 to 31-March-2000 because of work at the Powell & Market turntable, Powell & Post, and Powell & Sacramento Streets.

Muni's New Year's Eve Plans - 09-Dec-1999
Muni has announced its New Year's Eve plans, some of which are good, like free rides from 8pm on 12/31 to 6am on 01/01.

The cable cars will return to the barn at 6pm on 12/31. So will the F line PCCs. The trolley buses will turn in by 8pm. Muni says it is worried about electrical problems, and that they'll monitor eastern transit systems. They'll try to cover all the rail services except Muni Metro with diesels. Metro will shut down from 11:30pm till they check out all systems after midnight.

It is a good idea to put the cable cars away because the Union Square area is going to be crammed with people, and there will be rowdies all over downtown. This Michael Burns guy might be ok.

Cable Car Hits Car Which Hits Pedestrian - 13-Oct-1999
A Powell/Hyde cable car hit an auto at Washington and Taylor. The auto hit a pedestrian. Only the pedestrian was injured.

Loose Strand Stops Powell Street Cable - 10-Sep-1999
The Powell street cable was shut down for about eight hours after an alarm at the powerhouse indicated a loose strand. Buses shuttled passengers from Powell and Market to the car barn.

Sudden Stop Injures Passengers - 26-Jul-1999
A Powell/Hyde car, inbound on Washington Street near the car barn, came to a sudden halt when it struck a pin which must have fallen out of the coupler on another car and wedged in the slot. No one fell off the car.

36th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest - 15-Jul-1999
Frank Ware, a first time contestant, won the 36th annual Bell Ringing Contest at Union Square, Geary & Powell Streets, San Francisco.

San Francisco/New Orleans Trade - New Questions - 01-Jul-1999
Back in September, 1998, the San Francisco Muni traded old California Street cable car number 59 to the New Orleans RTA for Perley Thomas 952. At the time, it sounded as if 952 was going to be a permanent addition to the historic trolley fleet, but I have recently seen two references recently that indicate that RTA may want 952 back. What about our cable car?

California Street Conduit Reconstruction

• California Street Cable Cars Shut Down - 11-Jan-1999
  California Street cable cars were shut down last week for "conduit renovation". I first noticed that route 61 motor buses were running last week. I went by the cable car barn and found the California Street cable stopped. There was a sign across the street announcing the conduit renovation project. Apparently, the job was scheduled for later in the year, but the cable was worn out, so they proceeded with the work. A newspaper article particularly mentioned the blind conduit on Mason between Washington and California. The cable cars are scheduled to return in March.

• Update - They're Back - 21-Apr-1999
  California Street cable cars made back into service after more than three months. I saw new number 59 running as a training car on 20-Apr-1999. On the 21st I saw a full set of cars running in regular service.

Collision at California & Powell - 20-Oct-1998
Two passengers were injured when an auto making a turn struck the running board of a California Street cable car at Powell. The strategic location of the accident tied up all three cable car lines for hours.

Turning the Powell Street Cars

• Mayor Proposes Motorized Turntables - 03-Sep-1998
  San Francisco Mayor Willie L Brown Jr proposed motorizing the turntables used by the Powell Street cable cars. The Transport Workers Union has sought the change for some time to reduce physical strains on its workers. I like the idea. The Market Street Cable Railway used motorized turntables until 1906. For some reason, it may cost $10 million for each of the three turntables at the terminii. The turntable in the cable car barn is already powered.

• Update - Additional Arm Power at Turntables - 10-Oct-1998
  Rather than spend $10 milltion dollars each to motorize the turntables used by the Powell Street cable cars, Muni will hire entry level workers to help the trained crews.

125th Anniversary - 02-Aug-1998
The only official event I heard of was the dedication of new California Street cable car 59. I had heard there was supposed to be a party at Huntington Park. I went, but there wasn't a party.

35th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest - 17-Jul-1998
Byron Cobb, 1995 champion, won the 35th annual Bell Ringing Contest at Union Square, Geary & Powell Streets, San Francisco.

Collision at Powell & Post - 29-Jun-1998
Three passengers were injured when a cable car stopped in the intersection at Powell & Post was broadsided by a taxi. The cable car had to stop behind a car making an illegal left turn. The taxi had a green light and the the police say the driver's view may have been obscured by a truck. One passenger had to be hospitalized.

Accident on the Hyde Street Hill - 14-Feb-1998
Twelve passengers were injured when a car descending the Hyde Street Hill in San Francisco experienced brake trouble. The gripman was forced to apply the emergency brake, which brought the car to an instant stop. Tracks wet from severe storms probably added to the brake problems.

First Female Gripman (Gripperson?) - 15-Jan-1998
Fannie Mae Barnes, 51, became the first woman to operate a cable car in revenue service. No other woman had made it beyond the first day of training in the 125 year history of cable cars because of the great upper body strength required to operate the grip and the brakes. Ms Barnes had previously worked as a bus driver and later as a cable car conductor for six years.

Carville Controversy

• Planning Commission Hearing - 20-Jan-1998
  The San Francisco Planning Commission heard testimony that planned enlargement of a house would block views of one of the few survivors of Carville. Carville was an impromptu community located near the Southwest corner of Golden Gate Park. Transit companies began dumping obsolete horsecars there in the 1890's. Hundreds of old cable cars were dumped there after the Earthquake and Fire in 1906. People used the cars to build homes. The house in question contains parts of two cable cars and one horse car in its upper floor. Most of the Carville homes were burned by the city in 1926.
• Update - Planning Commission Decision - 06-Feb-1998
  The San Francisco Planning Commission refused to issue a permit that would have allowed a neighbor to expand his garage and block views of the Carville house. The neighbor says he will appeal.

More Honors for Mrs Klussmann - 01-Dec-1997
A plaque dedicating the turntable at the end of the Hyde St Cable car line to Friedel Klussmann, the Cable Car Lady, was placed by a group of dignitaries including Senator (and former Mayor) Dianne Feinstein. See 1997 anniversaries for details about Mrs. Klussman's efforts to save the cable cars.

Celebrating Mrs Klussmann - 04-Mar-1997
There was a celebration at the cable car barn to unveil a new collage honoring the 50th anniversary of Friedel Klussmann's successful effort to save the cable cars from replacement by buses. See 1997 anniversaries for details.

GSPO Powerhouse - A New Life

• GSPO Powerhouse - remodeled or threatened? - 02-Jan-1997
  I drove by the former powerhouse of the Geary Street, Park & Ocean line at Arguello and Geary in San Francisco. The building is being remodeled. I didn't see any signs to indicate what it is going to be. The building has been vacant for a few years since a Buick dealership moved out.
• Update - 08-Jan-1997
  I went by on a 38 Geary bus. A sign said that the site is available for lease or purchase from PPPP Development Co. It said that they would build to suit, implying that the building might be torn down. What can we do to stop it?
• Update - 15-Jun-1997
  The June, 1997 edition of the Richmond Review says that the building will become an Office Max store. Local small business owners are concerned by the proliferation of chains in the area. At least they're not tearing it down.

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Anniversaries

2009 Anniversaries

200 years ago - 1809
Feb 12 - Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky

125 years ago - 1884
May 29 - The Highgate Hill Cable Tramway, the first cable tramway in Europe, started service.
Jun 30 - The Telegraph Hill Railroad, a funicular, started service.

New York National League club (not yet Giants) record: 62-50, 5th place. Managers: James Price, Monte Ward.

100 years ago - 1909
May 30 - Benny Goodman was born in Chicago

New York Giants record: 92-61, 3rd place. Manager: John McGraw.

75 years ago - 1934
May 09 - West Coast longshoremen, led by Harry Bridges, go out on strike
Jul 05 - Bloody Thursday -- San Francisco police shoot and kill two maritime strikers, Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise
Jul 16 - A three day general strike led to the settlement of the maritime strike and the recognition of the International Longshore Workers' Union

New York Giants record: 93-60, 2nd place. Manager: Bill Terry.

50 years ago - 1959
May 14 - Sidney Bechet, important early jazz musician, died in Paris

San Francisco Giants record: 83-71, 3rd place. Manager: Bill Rigney.

25 years ago - 1984
Apr 26 - Bill "Count" Basie, piano player and swing band leader, died
Jun 03 - The California Street line reopened after the Great Reconstruction
Jun 04 - The Powell/Hyde Street line reopened and the rebuilt Washington/Mason carbarn and powerhouse was dedicated after the Great Reconstruction
Jun 21 - The Powell/Mason Street line reopened and the city held a major celebrtion after the Great Reconstruction
Aug 12 - A suicidal driver ran head-on into Powell/Hyde car 12, causing it to run away backwards downhill. Gripman Ray McCann and his conductor, Charles Gerstbacher, both seriously injured, were able to stop the car

San Francisco Giants record: 66-96, 6th place. Managers: Frank Robinson, Danny Ozark.

Anniversaries Archive

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2008 Anniversaries

125 years ago - 1883
May 01 - The new New York baseball club (not yet called the Giants) played its first National League game, defeating the new Phillies club 7-5 at the original Polo Grounds on 110th Street in Manhattan. General and former President Ulysses S Grant attended the game.
Jul ?? - The National Cable Railway Company was formed.
Aug 03 - The first train ran on the New York and Brooklyn Bridge Railway.

New York National League club (not yet Giants) record: 46-50, 6th place. Manager: John Clapp.

100 years ago - 1908
Jun 08 - Cable car service was restored on the revised Sacramento/Clay line
Dec 11 - Abe Ruef was convicted of brbing a supervisor on behalf of the URR

New York Giants record: 98-56, tied for first place with the Chicago Cubs. Lost a one-game playoff which included the infamous "Merkle boner". Manager: John McGraw.

75 years ago - 1933

New York Giants record: 91-61, 1st place. Manager: Bill Terry. The Giants defeated the Washington Senators in the World Series, 4 games to 1.

50 years ago - 1958
Apr 15 - The new San Francisco Giants won their first game against the new Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-0. Headlines read "We Beat the Bums".
Apr 20 - The last Key System trains ran on the Bay Bridge

San Francisco Giants record: 80-74, 3rd place. Manager: Bill Rigney.

25 years ago - 1983

San Francisco Giants record: 79-83, 5th place. Manager: Frank Robinson.

Anniversaries Archive

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2007 Anniversaries

175 years ago - 1832
Nov 26 - America's first horse car, the John Mason, went into service in New York CIty, running from City Hall to 14th Street

150 years ago - 1857
Dec 09 - The Market Street Railroad was incorporated.

125 years ago - 1882
Jan 16 - The Presidio and Ferries Railway opened its Union Street cable car line.
Jan 28 - The Chicago City Railway opened its State Street line, the first US cable railway outside of San Francisco.
Sep 22 - A meeting of National League owners dropped the Troy, New York and Worcester, Massachusetts clubs and reassigned the franchises to New York and Philadelphia.

100 years ago - 1907
Jan 30 - Cable car service was restored on Powell from Market to the powerhouse
Mar 01 - Cable car service was restored on the full Powell/Mason line and the shortened Washington/Jackson line
Mar 09 - Abe Ruef was arrested at the Trocadero Roadhouse in what is now Stern Grove
Mar 19 - The entire Board of Supervisors, except for two members, was indicted for accepting bribes from URR and other companies
May 16 - Abe Ruef pleaded guilty to extortion.
Jun 14 - Mayor Schmitz was gound guilty of extortion. The sentence was later overturned.
Aug 29 - Cable car service was restored on the remnant of the Castro Street line

New York Giants record: 82-71, 4th place. Manager: John McGraw.

75 years ago - 1932

New York Giants record: 72-82, 6th place. Managers: John McGraw, Bill Terry.

50 years ago - 1957
Mar 02 - The Mornington Tramway, Dunedin NZ, closed. This was the last cable car line outside of San Francisco.
Apr 07 - The San Francisco Municipal Railway's Powell/Hyde line began service.
Sep 29 - The New York Giants played their last home game at the Polo Grounds. They lost 9-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Nov 11 - Demolition begins on Cal Cable car barn and powerhouse at California & Hyde. It was replaced by a Cala supermarket.

New York Giants record: 69-85, 6th place. Manager: Bill Rigney.

25 years ago - 1982
Feb 17 - Thelonious Sphere Monk, American composer and piano player died
Sep 21 - The beginning of the Great Reconstruction closes all cable lines

San Francisco Giants record: 87-75, 3rd place. Manager: Frank Robinson.

Anniversaries Archive

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2006 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1856
Jan 17 - The first trial Charles Cora for killing Marshall William Richardson ended in a hung jury
Apr 19 - The California State legislature passed an act to consolidate the City and County of San Francisco, forming San Mateo County from the remaining part of San Francisco County
May 14 - James P Casey shot James King of William at Montgomery and Washington Streets. Both men were newspaper publishers, but King's Bulletin had recently revealed that Casey was an ex convict. Veterans of the 1851 Committee of Vigilance began to organize a new committee
May 15 - The Second Committee of Vigilance was formally organized
May 18 - Members of the Vigilance Committee removed both Charles Cora and James Casey from the county jail
May 20 - James King of William died of his wound
May 22 - The Vigilance Committee hanged Cora and Casey after King's burial at Lone Mountain
Jul 20 - The San Francisco News Letter began publication
Aug 18 - The Vigilance Committee disbanded

125 years ago - 1881
Feb 24 - The Roslyn Tramway, the first cable railway outside of San Francisco, opened in Dunedin, NZ.
Apr 14 - The Cable Railway Company was formed.

100 years ago - 1906
Jan 03 - The Mount Lowe railway reopened after a severe fire
Apr 17 - The last day of service on several San Francisco cable car lines operated by the Presidio and Ferries and United Railroads of San Francisco
Apr 18 - The great earthquake and and subsequent fire destroyed most of San Francisco.
May 22 - A generous bribe from the URR, arranged by Abraham "Boss" Ruef, persuaded the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Eugene E Schmitz to allow trolley wires on Market Street
May 23 - The San Francisco Seals played the first Pacific Coast League game in the Bay Area after the Fire and Earthquake, defeating Fresno 5-4.
Jun 21 - The Geary Street, Park and Ocean Railway resumed service, the first cable car line to return after the Earthquake and Fire
Oct 21 - The Chicago City Railway ended cable service.
Nov 16 - Mayor Eugene Schmitz and Abe Ruef were indicted for extortion, in part because of the payments from URR in return for allowing trolley wires on Market Street.

New York Giants record: 96-56, 2nd place. Manager: John McGraw.

75 years ago - 1931
Aug 07 - Bix Beiderbecke died far too young

New York Giants record: 87-65, 2nd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1956
Sep 02 - Car 524 made the last trip on the Washington/Jackson line
Dec 31 - Car 15 made the last trip on the California Street main line before it shut down for rebuilding

New York Giants record: 67-87, 6th place. Manager: Bill Rigney.

25 years ago - 1981

San Francisco Giants record: 56-55, 4th place. Manager: Frank Robinson. A strike cancelled 51 games. Before the strike, the Giants were 27-32, in 5th place. After the strike, they were 29-23, in 4th place.

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2005 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1855
Mar 18 - The Mechanic's Institute was founded in San Francisco. Charter members included Andrew S Hallidie
Jul 15 - Dedication of Saint Ignatius Church, founded by Father Anthony Maraschi, SJ, on Market between Fourth and Fifth.
Oct 15 - Saint Ignatius Academy had its first classes, with three students.
Nov 17 - Charles Cora, a gambler, fatally shot Marshall William Richardson, who had insulted Cora's mistress, Belle

125 years ago - 1880
Jan 08 - Joshua Norton, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, died on California Street
Feb 16 - The Geary Street, Park and Ocean Railway opened in San Francisco

100 years ago - 1905
Jan 15 - The last cable tram ran in Sydney, Australia

New York Giants record: 105-48, 1st place. Manager: John McGraw. The Giants beat Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series, 4 games to 1.

75 years ago - 1930

New York Giants record: 87-67, 3rd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1955
Oct 29 - The Maryhill Tramway, Dunedin NZ, closed.

New York Giants record: 80-74, 3rd place. Manager: Leo Durocher.

25 years ago - 1980

San Francisco Giants record: 75-86, 5th place. Manager: Dave Bristol.

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2004 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1854
Mar 01 - The California Steam Navigation Company was organized
Apr 03 - The first United States Branch Mint in San Francisco opened on Commercial Street
Dec 25 - San Francisco's first Saint Mary's Cathedral was dedicated

125 years ago - 1879
May 30 - The California Street Cable Railroad extended its line from Fillmore to Presidio.

100 years ago - 1904
May 21 - Thomas "Fats" Waller, great American pianist, organist, singer, and composer, was born
Nov 01 - A car of Kansas City's Metropolitan Street Railway lost its grip and rolled back to the bottom of the 12th Street incline. Passengers who jumped were injured.
Dec 19 - Bill "Count" Basie, piano player and swing band leader, was born in Red Bank, NJ

New York Giants record: 106-47, 1st place. Manager: John McGraw. Angry about ill-treatment at the hands of American League president Ban Johnson, McGraw and Brush refused to participate in the World Series.

75 years ago - 1929
Aug 19 - The Upper Douglas Cable Tramway was abandoned.
Nov 17 - The Pacific Avenue remnant of the Sutter Street Railway was abandoned.

New York Giants record:84-67, 3rd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1954
Feb 06 - Muni abandoned the Jones Street Shuttle of the former California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California)
May 15 - Muni abandoned the O'Farrell/Jones/Hyde line of the former California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California)

New York Giants record: 97-57, 1st place. Manager: Leo Durocher. The Giants swept the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

25 years ago - 1979

San Francisco Giants record: 71-91, 4th place. Managers: Joe Altobelli, Dave Bristol.

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2003 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1853
Apr 04 - The California Academy of Sciences was founded
Jul 17 - Bishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany laid the cornerstone of Saint Mary's Church at California and Dupont

125 years ago - 1878
Apr 10 - The California Street Cable Railroad started service

100 years ago - 1903
Mar 10 - Bix Beiderbecke, influential cornet player, was born in Davenport, IA
May 29 - Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope, great comedian, was born in London
Jun 02 - Kansas City reached a "Peace Agreement" with the Metropolitan Street Railway, giving them a new franchise in return for converting surviving cable car lines.
Jun 16 - Henry Ford and a group of investors formed the Ford Motor Company, Ford's third attempt at forming a company to manufacture autos
Jul 08 - The Upper Great Orme Tramway opened in Llandudno, Wales. It is still operating
Jul 26 - Layman's Castle at the top of Telegraph Hill burned to the ground.
Sep 01 - Kansas City's former Grand Avenue Railroad cable lines (15th Street, Holmes Street, Walnut Street) ceased.
Dec 18 - The Wright Brothers made the first flight in a powered heavier than air craft

New York Giants record: 84-55, 2nd place. Manager: John McGraw.

75 years ago - 1928

New York Giants record: 93-61, 2nd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1953
Jul 23 - Fighting stops in Korea for a cease-fire that has mostly held till now.

New York Giants record: 70-84, 5th place. Manager: Leo Durocher.

25 years ago - 1978

San Francisco Giants record: 89-73, 3rd place. Manager: Joe Altobelli.

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2002 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1852
Mar 18 - During a meeting at the Astor House Hotel in New York, Henry Wells and William Fargo formed express and banking company Wells Fargo
Apr 19 - The California Historical Society was founded
Jul 13 - The first office of Wells Fargo opened on Montgomery Street in San Francisco

125 years ago - 1877
Jan 27 - The Sutter Street Railway opened its first cable line.
Jul 05 - The California Street Cable Railroad started construction

100 years ago - 1902
Feb 22 - The Kelburn Cable Car, a funicular in Wellington, NZ, started service.
Feb 27 - John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, CA
Jun 09 - Mount Auburn Cable Railway (Cincinnati, Ohio) converted
Jul 31 - The Lower Great Orme Tramway opened in Llandudno, Wales. It is still operating
Aug 22 - A train descending the Ninth Street trestle of the former Kansas City Cable Railway lost the rope and ran into another train, killing the gripman of the runaway train and injuring 17 passengers.
Sep 02 - The Troost Avenue cable line of the former Kansas City Cable Railway stopped running.
Oct 02 - The Temple Street Cable Railway in Los Angeles, California converted to electricity

New York Giants record: 48-88, 8th place. Managers: Horace Fogel, George Smith, John McGraw. John McGraw, signed from the Baltimore Orioles as player/manager. He remained in charge for 30 seasons.

75 years ago - 1927
May 20 - Charles A Lindbergh took off from New York in the Spirit of Saint Louis
May 21 - Charles A Lindbergh landed in Paris after making the first solo flight across the Atlantic

New York Giants record: 92-62, 3rd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1952
Jan 13 - California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California) lines began running again, operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway.

New York Giants record: 92-62, 2nd place. Manager: Leo Durocher. Willie Mays got drafted.

25 years ago - 1977

San Francisco Giants record: 75-87, 4th place. Manager: Joe Altobelli.

2001 Anniversaries

225 years ago - 1776
Jun 29 - San Francisco and Mission Dolores were founded.
Jul 04 - In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
Nov 14 - The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation.

150 years ago - 1851
May 04 - The Fifth Great Fire destroyed San Francisco's entire business district
Jun 01 - Horse-drawn omnibuses began running between downtown San Francisco and Mission Dolores
Jun 09 - The First San Francisco Committee of Vigilance was organized in response to a wave of crimes, especially arson
Jun 10 - The Committee of Vigilance hanged John Jenkins of the Sydney Ducks gang for stealing a safe
Jun 22 - The Sixth Great Fire destroyed 14 blocks
Jun 25 - The New Mission Toll Road opened from Clay and Kearny, out Third to Mission, along Mission to Corbett Road.
Sep 15 - The Committee of Vigilance disbanded

125 years ago - 1876
Jun 14 - The California Street Cable Railroad received its franchise

100 years ago - 1901
Feb 14 - People's Railway (St Louis, Missouri) converted to electricity
Mar 14 - Missouri Railroad (St Louis, Missouri) converted to electricity
May 11 - Metropolitan Street Railway (New York, New York) converted its Columbus Avenue line to electricity
May 25 - Metropolitan Street Railway (New York, New York) converted its Broadway line to electricity
Jun 19 - Metropolitan Street Railway (New York, New York) converted its Lexington Avenue line to electricity
Aug 04 - Louis Armstrong, one of the most important figures in American music, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
Aug 31 - The first electric streetcars in Honolulu, Hawaii ran. See Streetcar Days in Honolulu for some wonderful photos from the new book of the same name by MacKinnon Simpson and John Brizdle.

New York Giants record: 52-85, 7th place. Manager: George Davis.

75 years ago - 1926

New York Giants record: 74-77, 5th place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1951
Apr 11 - President Harry S Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur. General Matthew Ridgeway took command in Korea.
Jul 31 - California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California) ceased operating when its insurance coverage lapsed.
Aug 11 - The New York Giants trailed the Brooklyn Dodgers by 13.5 games.
Aug 13 - California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California), beset by lawsuits, filed for bankruptcy.
Sep 05 - The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge begins.
Sep 20 - California Street Cable Railroad (San Francisco, California), purchased by the City of San Francisco.
Sep 23 - The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge ends.
Oct 03 - Bobby Thomson came to bat in the 9th inning of the third and final game of the playoff series with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Brooklyn led 4-2. The Giants had runners on second and third. Willie Mays was on deck. Thompson hit "the shot heard round the world" and the Giants won the pennant.

New York Giants record: 98-59, First place. Manager: Leo Durocher. After the Giants had been 13.5 games back in August, they tied Brooklyn on the last day of the season, forcing a three game playoff to decide the pennant. The teams split the first two games, but Bobby Thomson's "shot heard round the world" won the third game and the pennant for the Giants. The exhausted team lost the World Series 4 games to 2 to the New York Yankees.

25 years ago - 1976

San Francisco Giants record: 74-88, 4th place. Manager: Bill Rigney. Bob Lurie and Bud Herseth saved the Giants from moving to Toronto.

2000 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1850
May 1 - Alcalde John White Geary, later a general in the Civil War, was sworn in as the first Mayor of San Francisco
May 4 - The Second Great Fire destroyed the entire block bounded by Kearny, Clay, Montgomery and Washington
Jun 14 - The Third Great Fire destroyed the area between Clay and California from Kearny to the waterfront
Sep 9 - California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state
Sepr 17 - The Fourth Great Fire destroyed the area bounded by Dupont, Montgomery, Washington and Pacific
Oct 18 - The Steamer Oregon arrived with news that California had been admitted to the Union

125 years ago - 1875
Sep 9 - Actress Lotta Crabtree dedicated Lotta's Fountain to the citizens of San Francisco at the intersection of Geary, Kearny and Market streets
??? ?? - The old Ferry Building opened at the foot of Market Street

100 years ago - 1900
Mar 28 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) West Denver line converted to electricity
Mar 29 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) Welton line converted to electricity
Apr 1 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) Larimer line converted to electricity
Apr 24 - Andrew Smith Hallidie died
May 2 - Grand Avenue Railway (Kansas City, Missouri) converted its Westport line to electricity
Sep 4 - Front Street Cable Railway (Seattle, Washington) converted to electricity. The section on Queen Anne Hill was converted to a counterbalance.
Oct 8 - St Louis Railroad (St Louis, Missouri) converted to electricity
Oct 30 - Metropolitan Street Railway (Kansas City, Missouri) converted its 18th-19th Street line to electricity
??? ?? - New South Wales Government Tramways (Sydney, Australia) converted to electricity
??? ?? - Kaikorai Tramway (Dundein, New Zealand) opened

New York Giants record: 60-78, 8th place. Managers: Buck Ewing, George Davis.

75 years ago - 1925

New York Giants record: 86-66, 2nd place. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1950

New York Giants record: 86-68, 3rd place. Manager: Leo Durocher.

25 years ago - 1975

San Francisco Giants record: 80-81, 3rd place. Manager: Wes Westrum.

1999 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1849
Dec 24 - The First Great Fire in San Francisco destroyed the buildings on the south and east sides of the Plaza, causing $1 million in damage.

125 years ago - 1874
Feb - San Francisco Clay Street Hill Cable Railroad carried 76,500 passengers.

100 years ago - 1899
Mar 23 - Baltimore City Passenger Railway (Baltimore, Maryland) converted.
Apr 29 - Duke Ellington, America's greatest composer, was born in Washington, DC.
May 21 - Oakland Cable Railway (Oakland, California) converted.
Jul 15 - People's Cable Railway Tenth Street line (Kansas City, Missouri) closed.
Jul 16 - The Brooklyn Elevated Railway (New York, New York) stopped running its trains across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, using the New York & Brooklyn Bridge's cable line, except during busy summer periods.
Jul 23 - Columbia Railway (Washington, DC) converted.
Sep 28 - Third Ave Railroad 125th Street section (New York, New York) converted to electric. The rest of the company's cable trackage was converted by the end of the year.
Oct 22 - My grandfather, Ernesto Cafferata, was born. He was chef and partner in San Francisco's Fly Trap Restaurant
Dec 31 - Former Omnibus Howard Street main line and Post Street lines (San Francisco, California) were closed.

New York Giants record: 60-90, 5th place. Managers: John B Day (who had been the Giants' first president), Fred Hoey.

75 years ago - 1924

New York Giants record: 93-60, 1st place. The Giants played their fourth straight World Series. They lost to the Washington Senators 4 games to 3. Manager: John McGraw.

13.0 miles in service
0 miles abandoned or converted

50 years ago - 1949

New York Giants record: 73-81, 5th place. Manager: Leo Durocher.

25 years ago - 1974
Apr 8 - Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, taking the lifetime home run record from Babe Ruth.
Sep 3 - John (the Count) Montefusco made his first appearance for the Giants. He made an eight inning relief appearance, hit a two-run homer, and beat the Dodgers 9-5.

San Francisco Giants record: 72-90, 5th place. Managers: Charlie Fox, Wes Westrum.

1998 Anniversaries

150 years ago - 1848
Jan 24 - James Marshall discovered gold in the run of Sutter's Mill near Coloma, CA. This led to the Gold Rush, which shaped the future of California and San Francisco.
Feb 2 - The treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican War and formally ceded California to the United States
Dec 5 - President James K Polk formally told the US Congress about gold in California

125 years ago - 1873
Aug 2 - Clay Street Hill Cable Railroad made its first test run
Sep 1 - Clay Street Hill Cable Railroad started revenue service

100 years ago - 1898
Feb 1 - Mount Adams & Eden Park Railway (Cincinatti, Ohio) closed
Feb 15 - US battleship Maine blew up in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. The incident, which may have been an accident, triggered the Spanish American War
Apr 21 - US Congress declared war on Spain
May 1 - Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish cruiser squadron at Manila, PI
May 25 - Washington & Georgetown Seventh Street line closed. Electric rails for the conduit electric cars had been laid while the cable cars were running.
Jun 31 - Saint Paul City Railway Selby Street line closed. It was replaced by a counterbalance, which helped electrics up and down the Selby Street hill. The counterbalance was replaced 10-Oct-1906 by a tunnel.
Jul 1 - The Battle of San Juan Hill, which made Teddy Roosevelt's reputation
Jul 3 - US fleet destroyed Admiral Pascual Cervera's Spanish squadron at Santiago de Cuba
Sep 16 - Vine Street Cable Railway (Cincinnati, Ohio) closed
Nov 1 - Metropolitan Street Railway (Kansas City, Missouri) closed its 5th Street-Wyandotte line
Nov 1 - The Brooklyn Elevated Railway (New York, New York) began running its trains across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, using the New York & Brooklyn Bridge's cable line.
Dec 10 - The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War

New York Giants record: 77-73, 7th place. Managers: Bill Joice, Cap Anson (22 games), Bill Joice again.

75 years ago - 1923

New York Giants record: 95-58, 1st place. The Giants played the Yankees in the World Series for the third year in a row, but lost 4 games to 2. Manager: John McGraw.

50 years ago - 1948

New York Giants record: 78-76, 5th place. Managers: Mel Ott, Leo Durocher.

25 years ago - 1973
Apr 12 - San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey hit two home runs in the fourth inning during a game against the Houston Astros.
Jul 15 - San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey hit his four hundredth home run and Juan Marichal shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0.
Aug 2 - the Centennial
Surviving Clay Street cable car #8 was loaded onto a flat bed truck and driven on the Clay Street hill.
Oct 25 - The San Francisco Giants traded Willie McCovey to the San Diego Padres.
Dec 7 - The San Francisco Giants sold Juan Marichal to the Boston Red Sox, completing the dispersal of the three greatest SF Giants players up to that time - Willy Mays, McCovey, and Marichal - within a period of 18 months.

San Francisco Giants record: 88-74, 3rd place. Manager: Charlie Fox.

1997 Anniversaries

New York Giants record: 83-48, 3rd place. Manager: Bill Joice.

75 years ago - 1922
Sep 27 - Travis "Stonewall" Jackson played the first game of his Hall of Fame career for the Giants.

New York Giants record: 93-61, 1st place. Manager: John McGraw. Defeated New York Yankees 4-0-1 for the second straight year.

50 years ago - 1947
Jan 15 - Mayor Roger Lapham tried to kill off the surviving San Francisco cable cars. Friedel Klussmann proposed saving them. This led to the founding of the Citizens' Committee to Save the Cable Cars (CCSCC). Lucius Beebe said Mrs Klussmann was designated to wield terror and authority once possessed by the Vigilance Committee of 1851. This led to Proposition 10, which called for saving the cable cars. It won by a 3 to 1 margin
Jan 21- Carl Hubbell, great Giants pitcher, was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Jun 11- Mel Ott made his last appearance as a player for the Giants.

New York Giants record: 81-73, 4th place. Manager: Mel Ott. The team had terrible pitching, but was known as "the Windowbreakers" because of their power. They hit 55 home runs in July. They hit 221 for the season.

25 years ago - 1972
May 11 - The Giants traded Willy Mays to the Mets.

San Francisco Giants record: 81-73, 5th place. Manager: Charley Fox.

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