September 30, 2005
By the time I arrived, San Francisco was already a city — and had been one for the previous century and a half. But what went on before that time? What was San Francisco before it was San Francisco?
I’ve decided to look into the story of the pre-city peninsula, and the birth of the tiny town of Yerba Buena, starting with the arrival of the Spanish in the 1770s. It will take a couple of episodes to get it all out, so if you’re curious, stay tuned. (or jump ahead to episodes two and three.
For further edification:
» the Presidio
» the founding of San Francisco – an essay from 1926
» detailed Presidio history – pdf
» De Anza trail – map
thanks to Rup Sode for the use of the beautiful tune “Yosemite”, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.
—
correction – 4.5.06
While re-listening to this show recently, I noticed that one of the dates I had given was incorrect — and it happens to have been quite an important one! William Richardson put up his four-posted tent in 1835, and it is to that year which we date the birth of Yerba Buena. A shocking and inexplicable error, but hereby corrected.
October 14, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Love your podcast. It was great to hear a little history of the Bay Area & the City that you don’t hear as a schoolkid. As a former resident it brings back good memories. Keep it up.
April 10, 2005 at 4:10 pm
Dude, can I just say that while I’ve never listened to the podcast (I’ve never listened to any podcasts), I’m downloading the show right now. I’ve been reading the blog and linking to your excellent stuff regularly, but this made me bite the bullet.
This is exactly what I was looking for from the Internet since day one, if that makes any sense. Thank you for having such an awesome effing blog and podcast!
Sorry for being so effusive, but really, I love your work. It doesn’t hurt that you’re exploring such a great subject!