August 27, 2007
What is Treasure Island? Why is it there? And where is it going?
In the second episode of this 2-part podcast series, San Francisco’s plan for a mid-bay international airport is abruptly derailed by World War II. The US Navy seizes the island, transforming the former World’s Fair location into “Naval Station Treasure Island”. The new base plays a vital role in the war, funneling millions of sailors into the Pacific Theatre. The world’s largest mess hall, San Francisco’s peculiar celebration of the war’s end, and an alarming series of Cold War-era mushroom clouds round out the military phase of Treasure Island’s history.
But that’s just the beginning, because after half a century San Francisco finally has its island back! Plans for the future of “San Francisco’s Newest Neighborhood” have been fraught with conflict and political turmoil, but believe me; they’re nothing short of spectacular.
Listen to Part One of the story.
For further edification:
» California State Military Museum
» “The Navy’s Last Detail” – SFGate.com, 1997
» Home movie – V-J Day celebrations and riot – Prelinger Archives
» “The Naval History of Treasure Island” – Prelinger Library, 1946
» Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA)
» “Treasure Island’s need for speed” – SF Chronicle, 2005
» Treasure Island Master Plan – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
» “A Vision for Urban Living” – SF Chronicle, 2006
» Treasure Island Museum
» “Consequences of a Rising Bay” – SF Chronicle, 2007
- #61: Lefty O’Doul — The Man in the Green Suit
- Emperor Norton Day: “Le Roi est Mort”
- #9: Schadenfreude and San Francisco High Society
- SFist — whiskerless waiters at the palace hotel
- San Francisco Timecapsule: 01.12.09
musical support:
Thanks to Devin Anderson for musical support from the “Uniforms” motion picture score — “Stamp Collection” and “Untitled”, courtesy of the PodShow PodSafe Music Network.
printed bibliography:
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linking policy: books in print available through your local independent bookstore; out of print books through abebooks.com
8 responses to “#64: San Francisco’s Treasure Island (pt. 2)”
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February 19, 2009 at 10:20 am[…] Skip to Part Two. […]
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November 16, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Hi, I graduated from Radar “A” School at TI in the spring of 1971. I stayed in the old concrete Transit Barracks and soon after arriving moved into one of the brand new barracks just then completed. I failed to take many pictures while there. Could I possibly get someone to E-mail some photos of these structures and possibly the old base movie theatre so I can show them to my grandsons ? I would greatly appreciate it . Thanks sovery much,Steve Edens
November 16, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Steve — Another resource that might be of help:
There’s a message board on the Treasure Island Museum site that gets a lot of traffic from veterans searching for memories — you might try posting there as well. Click on the “Memory Book” link.
Good luck!
January 21, 2008 at 4:25 pm
My parents were married in 1959. They were both in the Navy, would you have any informaiton about or if there is a navel chaple I could contact to get so information?
January 21, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Aha, the same chapel in which Patty Hearst celebrated her own secret nuptials!
Unfortunately, since Treasure Island is no longer an active Navy base, that chapel is no longer active. The building does still exist, but it’s now a private facility, available for event rentals and so on.
I would suggest contacting either the Navy or the Treasure Island Development Authority for more information.
If anyone reading this can add anything to help Mary, please leave a comment here.
April 10, 2010 at 2:07 pm
For Mr. Edens, I was in TI’s ETA school about the same time you were there. I remember moving into the new barracks, had a beer machine! LOL I took a few pictures you might like to see. They are linked at this site:
http://www.pbase.com/toosnvetts/navy
April 7, 2011 at 3:54 pm
I need a copy of my Baptismal Certificate, I was Baptized at the Naval Chapel. Anyone know where I can start?
June 16, 2011 at 11:53 am
Terry Brines 16 Jun 2011:
I served on Treasure Island at the Navy Receiving Staton (building 218) from 1963 – 1967. Have some
pictures. The Receiving Station was a tenant command and later became a part of the Naval
Station.