San Francisco Fire Department Engine Company No. 7 - Then & Now: 18 August 2015

I wrote a few days ago: "I think this building has probably had an interesting history..." I did a little research and I found out that the building was used as a City of San Francisco Fire Station from 1907 to 1968. In addition, the building site was used as the location for a fire station since January 1854. This building was the third fire station to occupy this site which is located at 3160 16th Street in the Inner Mission District of San Francisco.

I was able to locate a picture of this building that is circa 1958. A bright red shiny firetruck is peaking out of the front door. You can see that photograph below. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Built in 1907; active as a Fire Station until March of 1968. Photo circa 1958.

San Francisco Fire Dept Engine Company No. 7 was located at 3160 16th Street. 

Neighborhood: Inner Mission

History of Engine Company No. 7

1854   January 1st, home of Young America Engine Company No. 13
1866   December 3rd, Young America Engine Company No. 13 disbanded
1866   December 3rd, Hose Company No. 5 organized and assigned to quarters
1868   April 15th, Engine Company No. 7 organized and assigned to quarters 
1894   Chemical Engine Co. No. 7 relocated from Masonic Avenue and Java Street
1906   April 18th, building was destroyed in 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
1906   Earthquake or Fire damage to the firehouse valued at $12,000.  Cost of new building $22,000
1907   Engine Co. No. 7 returned to the new quarters after temporary 1906 housing at 3623 - 17th Street
1907   Chemical Engine Co. No. 9 organized and assigned to quarters
1916   Chemical Engine Co. No. 9 relocated to Truck Co. No. 6, 349 Hermann Street
1917   Chemical Engine Co. No. 7 disbanded
1918   Converted to motorized apparatus
1941   November 1st, Battalion 6 relocated from Engine Co. No. 13, 1458 Valencia Street
1952   Auxiliary Engine Co. No. 22 organized and assigned to quarters
1968   March 12th, Engine Co. No. 7 relocated to new quarters at 80 Digby Street
1968   3160 16th Street was sold at a City & County of San Francisco public auction

This wooden structure on the corner of Albion Street is the third firehouse to be built on this site. In 1854 the Young America Engine Company, with their hand drawn apparatus, occupied the first firehouse built here. In 1868 the newly organized Engine Company No. 7, with their horse drawn steam engine, was stationed here. The firehouse was lost in the 1906 Fire. In 1907 the firehouse was rebuilt with a simple corniced structure.  In 1918 the company received a 1916 American LaFrance Type 45 chain drive 6 cylinder 120 HP engine with a combination 900 GPM rotary gear pump and hose wagon and the horses were retired. On March 12, 1968, Engine Company No. 7 and the auxiliary engine assigned here were moved to new quarters at 80 Digby Street in Diamond Heights, and the firehouse at 3160 16th Street was closed.

“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”-Dorothea Lange

You are welcome to visit my primary website  www.mishalov.com

San Francisco – the Submarine USS Pampanito and the Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien: 16 August 2015

This route incorporates great views with an excellent workout.

A flock of pelicans is flying past Alcatraz Island. Angel Island is visible in the background. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

 The Victory Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

US Navy World War II Submarine: USS Pampanito (SS-383). Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Click on the image to see the full-size drawing.

Never Forget. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is a gorgeous park sited adjacent to San Francisco Bay.  The view is from Aquatic Park Pier, located within the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

A view of Telegraph Hill as seen from the East. Coit Tower is sited on the summit of Telegraph Hill. Julius' Castle is visible in this photograph. Are you able to locate the castle? Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

 Fillmore Street, before it starts its climb. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

The intersection of Filmore Street and Filbert Street. A view from the Real Food Company's outdoor seating area. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

The top of Fillmore Street. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

The grand entryway to the Mark Hopkins Hotel is located on California Street. Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

A view of the Financial District, as seen from California Street. Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

The route. The approximate distance was 8.9 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 585 feet. Click on the image to see the full-size map.

A graph of the elevation changes encountered during this ramble. Click on the image to see the full-size chart.

“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”-Dorothea Lange

You are welcome to visit my primary website  www.mishalov.com

The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers: 4 August 2015

The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is an elaborate Victorian greenhouse constructed in 1878. For more than 130 years it has been a beautiful and captivating destination for the residents of San Francisco and also for visitors from around the world.

Here are a few snaps. The first picture was snapped on 5 July 2015. All of the additional images were taken on 4 August 2015.  Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

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Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

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Click on the image to see the full-size photograph.

Click on the image to see the full-size photo.

“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”-Dorothea Lange

You are welcome to visit my primary website  www.mishalov.com

Nike Missile Launching Site SF-89L and the San Francisco National Cemetery: 25 July 2015

Click on an image to view the full-size photograph.

A beautiful summer day in San Francisco. 

Alcatraz Island. 

A Chinese cargo ship just crossed under the Golden Gate Bridge, entered San Francisco Bay, and is heading to Oakland where the cargo will be unloaded. 

This building is located on Grant Avenue near Columbus Avenue. North Beach and Chinatown can both justifiably claim this location. 

San Francisco National Cemetery 

The next three photos show the remnants of the three underground missile storage and launching pads of Nike Missile Launch Site SF-89L. This site is located in the Presidio. 

Distance: 9.2 miles. Cumulative elevation gain: 629 feet. 

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lang 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com

Forest Hill and Stow Lake, San Francisco: 20 July 2015

Click on an image to see the full-size photo.

This house is located in the Forest Hill Neighborhood at Castenada Street and Montalvo Street. 

The approximate distance traveled was 9.7 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 702 feet. 

This graph shows the ascents and descents encountered in this ramble.

Here is a waterfall entering Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park. 

Golden Gate Pavillon. This was given to San Francisco by her Sister-City, Taipei, Taiwan. It was dedicated on 15 April 1981 and is located on the shore of Stow Lake. 

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view these photo galleries.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com

A view of the original Mill Valley Library, and a hike up Mount Tamalpais via the Temelpa Trail: 21 June 2015

Click on an image to view the full-size photograph.

A view of three southern Marin water reservoirs. They are Lake Lagunitas Reservoir, Bon Tempe Lake Reservoir, and Alpine Lake Reservoir.

The route up Mount Tamalpais. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 5.7 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 1,546 feet. Mile markers are shown on the route’s track.

This graph shows the elevation changes encountered during the ramble.

A photograph of the original Mill Valley Library under construction in 1911. It was located at 52 Lovell Avenue.

The library at 52 Lovell Avenue was closed in 1966, and a new library was built at 375 Throckmorton Avenue, which is where the library is still located. The library building at 52 Lovell was sold in 1966, and it is currently being used as a single-family residence. This is a recent photo of 52 Lovell Avenue.

A concise history of the original Mill Valley Library, which was endowed by the Carnegie Foundation.

A view of Bald Hill with Mount St Helena in the background, beyond the fog bank.

A madrone tree.

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com  

The San Francisco Bay Trail and the opening of the Ferry Point Loop Trail in Richmond: 31 May 2015

Two new additions to the San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond were officially opened. The additions were made to the Point Richmond area of the Bay Trail. The new changes to the trail network enabled the East Bay Regional Park District to open a new trail loop: The Ferry Point Loop Trail. I decided to go to Point Richmond on Sunday to participate in the "Grand Opening Schedule of Festivities." The event took place across the street from the Richmond Plunge. After the grand opening celebration, I decided to ramble about and see what was done to the Bay Trail. The improvements are helpful; they promote safety and will be appreciated by both pedestrians and bicyclists. One of the improvements was widening the walkway/bike path that goes through the Richmond Ferry Tunnel. The other improvement for bicyclists and pedestrians provides a second access route to historic Richmond Kaiser Shipyard 3. 

Click on an image to view the full-size photograph

The grand opening ceremony. 

Bruce Beyaert is the chairman of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee. 

A view of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, as seen from Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline park. 

Angel Island is on the left; the northern tower of the Golden Gate Bridge is visible. The view is from Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline. 

The remains of the Richmond Ferry Terminal. 

These building remnants are located adjacent to the remains of the Richmond Ferry Terminal. 

San Francisco is in the background, and the western span of the Bay Bridge is on the left. It is foggy and windy. The breakwater was constructed when the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards were in operation. A view from Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline. 

This is the SS Red Oak Victory, a World War II Victory Ship built at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards. 

Another view from within Kaiser Shipyard #3. The Red Oak Victory's bow can be seen on the left. A Whirley Crane is the center of attraction in this snap. This example was manufactured during WWII and was used at the Kaiser Shipyards during the war. 

The building is the former site of Ford Motor Company's Richmond assembly plant. It has had a fascinating history. In the background is a view of San Pablo Ridge. 

The map shows the route of the majority of the ramble. The approximate distance traveled as tracked by GPS was 6.2 miles. The approximate cumulative elevation gain was 131 feet. Mile markers are shown on the route’s track.

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com.