Grab Bag #68
An Indian circus, lunch and disco dancing in a greenhouse, and Tiki Bob.
Guess Where Kick-Off
Rather than an old photo, let’s go with this colorful linen postcard for the Grab Bag Guess Where. Cars can help us date the image, the architecture is useful, but perhaps the type of business will be the biggest clue in helping everyone find this generally overlooked San Francisco institution.
Answer at the end for Friends of Woody!
Hey, free readers of San Francisco Story. In honor of my 4th anniversary, here’s a limited-time deal: join as a Friend of Woody for the next year for just $40. That’s a 43% discount (I think). I pinky-promise you won’t be sorry to get the Grab Bag emails, the annual journal, and more!
Thank You for a Wonderful Night
To all who were able to come to the Post to Park show last Thursday, June 4, 2026, thank you for making it a memorable evening.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and Peggy Haas, Sharaya Souza, and Presidio Trust Federal Preservation Officer, Mr. Rob Thomson, all did a marvelous job of educating and enlightening people on 30 amazing years of preservation and restoration in the historic Presidio of San Francisco.
A couple of videos from the show will be posted on the SF Heritage YouTube channel soon.
Preview: San Francisco Story Annual
The cover for this year’s San Francisco Story Annual journal will be courtesy of one of my favorite artists: Miranda Jean Myrick LaBounty (D.O.W.):
Miranda mostly does portraits, but is working on a graphic novel in her spare time. Just something to whet your appetites, Friends of Woody. Target date for release is December 1st.
Indian Circus Troubles
In November 1902, “Chatre’s Hindoo Circus” arrived in town after touring Japan and Seattle. The 75 performers and 50 trained animals opened at Woodward’s Pavilion, an arena in the former Woodward’s Gardens complex at 14th and Valencia streets. (There will be lots on Woodward’s in the SF Story Annual.)
For three months the Indian jugglers, wire-walkers, contortionists, acrobats, and animal trainers kept finding themselves in the newspapers, but not always in appreciation of their skills.