San Francisco is famously made up of an eccentric patchwork of neighborhoods. What is less known is that some of the most interesting and unusual have come and gone, leaving very little trace of a once vigorous existence.

One of these was Carville, an eccentric community made up of abandoned streetcars converted into clubs, restaurants and dwellings out on the pacific edge of the fin de siecle city. Though virtually no trace is left, it does my heart good just to know that it was once there, and I think of it now every time I ride down the great highway.

This story was brought to my attention by a listener named Duncan, and I’ve relied heavily on a great article by James Labounty, listed below. Thanks!

for further edification:
» Carville – Steve Labounty
» Carville’s last remnant
» Carville photos – cable car guy
» more Carville photos

Thanks to The Jerrys for the use of the track “Telepop”, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.