Van Morrison 75 -- August 31, 2020

 

Singer-songwriter Van Morrison was born in Belfast 75 years ago today, on 31-August-1945. I have heard his music all of my life. Van the Man was knighted in 2016. 

The Pueblo of Yerba Buena -- August 30, 2020

 

The Annals of San Francisco by Frank Soulé, John H. Gihon, James Nisbet. 1855.

The Annals of San Francisco by Frank Soulé, John H. Gihon and James Nisbet, published in 1855, was one of the first histories of San Francisco. William Richardson was a British sailor who jumped ship in San Francisco Bay and founded the village of Yerba Buena in 1834. 

 The Mission of San Francisco, as mentioned in the first part of this work, was founded in the year 1776. It was situated about two and a half miles to the south-west of the Cove of Yerba Buena. Besides the mission buildings, there were erected, at the same time, a presidio and fort, along the margin of the Golden Gate, the former being distant from the mission about four miles, and from the cove nearly the same space . The latter was situated about a mile nearer the ocean than the presidio, close upon the sea-beach, and on a rocky height at the narrowest point of the strait. 

 Before 1835, the village of Yerba Buena had neither name nor existence. The Mexican Government had some time before resolved to found a town upon the cove of that name, which was reputed the best site on the shores of the Bay of San Francisco for establishing a port. Much discussion and litigation, involving immense pecuniary interests, have occurred as to the date and precise character of the foundation of Yerba Buena. It has long been matter of keen dispute whether the place was what is called a Spanish or Mexican "pueblo ;" and although, after previous contrary decisions, it was assumed (not being exactly decided upon evidence) by the Supreme Court to be a "pueblo," the subject seems to be still open to challenge. It is unnecessary in this work to do more than merely allude to the question. In the year last above mentioned, General Figueroa, then governor of the Californias, passed an ordinance, forbidding the commandant of the presidio of San Francisco to make any grants of land around the Yerba Buena Cove nearer than two hundred varas (about one hundred and eighty-five yards) from the beach, without a special order from the governor, the excluded portion being intended to be reserved for government uses. Before any steps could be taken for the survey and laying out of the proposed town, General Figueroa died ; and the place was neglected for some years, and left to proceed as chance and individuals would have it. There had been previous applications for grants of the whole land around the cove for professedly farming purposes, which circumstance led to the governor's passing the temporary ordinance, lest, some time or another, the portion of ground intended to be reserved should, through accident or neglect, be granted away. 

Captain W. A. Richardson was appointed the first harbormaster, in the year 1835, and, the same year, he erected the first house, or description of dwelling, in the place. It was simply a large tent, supported on four red-wood posts, and covered with a ship's foresail. The captain's occupation in those days seems to have been the management of two schooners, one belonging to the Mission of San Francisco, and the other to the Mission of Santa Clara. These schooners were employed in bringing produce from the various missions and farms around the bay to the sea-going vessels which lay in Yerba Buena Cove. The amount of freight which the captain received was twelve cents a hide, and one dollar for each bag of tallow. The tallow was melted down and run into hide-bags, which averaged five hundred pounds each. For grain, the freight was twenty-five cents a fanega (two and a half English bushels). 

Some years before this period, Yerba Buena Cove had been occasionally approached by various ships of war and other vessels. For many years, the Russians had continued to pay it annual visits for supplies of meat and small quantities of grain. One of their vessels took away annually about one hundred and eighty or two hundred tons of such provisions. In 1816, the English sloop of war "Racoon" entered the port ; also, in 1827, the "Blossom," of the same nation, on a surveying cruise. In the last named year, the French frigate "Artemesia," of sixty guns, arrived. In 1839, there appeared the English surveying ships, the "Sulphur" and the "Starling." In 1841, the first American war vessel, the "San Luis," sloop, arrived ; and, later in the same year, the "Vincennes," also American, on a surveying expedition. In 1842, came the "Yorktown," the "Cyane," and the "Dale," all of the American navy; and in the same year, the "Brillante," a French sloop-of-war. From this last named year downwards both ships of war and merchantmen of all nations occasionally entered the port. Whale ships first began to make their appearance for supplies in the fall of the year 1822, increasing in number, year by year, since that period. However, some impolitic port restrictions by the authorities had the effect latterly of sending off a considerable number of this class of ships to the Sandwich Islands, a place much less convenient for obtaining supplies than San Francisco Bay. Since likewise the discovery of gold in the country, and the consequent temptation of seamen to desert, as well as the enhanced price of most supplies, whale ships have not found it their interest to visit San Francisco, but prefer victualling and refitting at the Sandwich Islands. 

 Previous to 1822, a small traffic was carried on between the coast of Mexico and the California ports ; the latter exporting principally tallow and a little soap. Some small vessels from the Sandwich Islands also visited occasionally San Francisco and the other harbors in California. It was in the last year named that the trade began between California and the United States and England. The country then sent its tallow chiefly to Callao and Peru, and its hides to the States and to England. The price of a hide in 1822, was fifty cents, and of tallow, six dollars per hundred weight. These prices had the effect of soon decreasing the number of cattle ; and, in the following year, hides rose to one and a half dollars apiece, payable in cash, or two dollars, if the amount was taken in merchandise. The trade value of hides continued at nearly this rate until the war between the United States and Mexico. 

Some few natural occurrences during these early years of the place are worth recording. In December 1824 and in the spring of the following year, very heavy rains fell over all this part of the country. The Sacramento and tributaries rose to a great height, and their valleys were flooded in many places to a depth of fourteen feet. It was partly owing to the great volumes of fresh water brought down through the bay, in 1825, that a portion of the land at the southern side of the entrance, was washed away as stated in a previous chapter. In September, 1829, several very severe shocks of an earthquake were experienced in San Francisco, which forced open lock-fast doors and windows. In 1839, an equally severe earthquake took place. In 1812, however, a much more serious convulsion had been felt over all California, which shook down houses and some churches in several parts of the country, and killed a considerable number of human beings. The Church of San Juan Capistrano was completely destroyed, and forty-one persons, chiefly Indians, were killed by its fall. We have already said that an Indian tradition attributes the formation of the present entrance to the Bay of San Francisco to an earthquake, which forced open a great passage through the coast range of hills for the interior waters. It may be mentioned, when on this subject, that since these dates, no serious occurrences of this nature have happened at San Francisca though almost every year slight shocks, and occasionally smarter ones have been felt. God help the city if any great catastrophe of this nature should ever take place! Her huge granite and brick palaces, of four, five and six stories in height, would indeed make a prodigious crash, more ruinous both to life and property than even the dreadful fires of 1849, 1850 and 1851. This is the greatest, if not the only possible obstacle of consequence to the growing prosperity of the city, though even such a lamentable event as the total destruction of half the place, like another Quito or Caraccas, would speedily be remedied by the indomitable energy and persevering industry of the American character. Such a terrible calamity, however, as the one imagined, may never take place. So "sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." This maxim abundantly satisfies the excitement-craving, money-seeking, luxurious-living, reckless, heaven-earth-and-hell-daring: citizens of San Francisco. 

We have elsewhere explained the nature of the climate in respect that the winter and summer months are simply the rainy and dry seasons of the year. We have seen above, the effects of excessive rains; and we may also mark the result of unusual drought. In the personal recollections of Captain Richardson, who is our authority on this subject, there have been several such seasons in the country around the Bay of San Francisco since 1822, when that gentleman came to California. The grass on such occasions was completely dried up, and cattle perished in consequence. The missionaries were under the necessity of sending out all their Indian servants to cut down branches of oak trees for the herds to subsist upon. In these dryer seasons, too, the crops suffered greatly from grasshoppers ; which insects, about the month of July, when the corn was still green, would sweep all before them. It may be remarked generally, that while the year is divided into two seasons -- wet and dry -- there is great irregularity, in the case of the former, as to the average quantity of rain falling annually. During some winters heavy rains pour down, without intermission, for months together; while, on other and often alternate winters, the sky is clear for weeks -- then for only a few days slight showers will descend -- and again there occurs a long period of the most delightful and dry weather imaginable. Slight frosts are occasionally felt during the winter months; and ice, from the thickness of a cent to that of an inch is seen for a day or two, nearly every season. Generally, however, the winter climate is mild and open, and the winter months are the most pleasant of the year. 

The excessively and injuriously wet and dry seasons are exceptional cases, and do not impugn the accuracy of the statements, made elsewhere, of the general mildness of the climate, productiveness of the soil, and safety of the harvest. A fertile field or a fruitful tree will not lose its character, because occasionally there happens to be a short crop. The Pacific is still reputed a serene ocean, though sometimes a gale or tempest sweeps over it. Even in the case of possible earthquakes, nobody would hold France, or Spain, or even Italy -- the bella Italia of the old world, as California is of the new one -- to be dangerous countries to live in, although historical records show that much damage has been done in them, at long intervals, by volcanic eruptions and subterranean movements.

Charlie Parker 100 -- August 29, 2020

 

www.listal.com

Charlie Parker, sax player, composer and music visionary, was born 100 years ago today, on 29-August-1920. Charlie Parker and his friend Dizzy Gillespie were two of the founding fathers of bebop. Bird influenced everyone.

Bird had an addiction to heroin and other opioids, but it didn't rule his life right away. He made many recordings and influenced young musicians like Miles Davis and Jackie McLean. Parker tried to tell young musicians not to copy his drug use, but many wound up addicted to heroin. 

www.listal.com

Clint Eastwood made a movie called Bird, which starred Forrest Whitacker as Parker. The movie showed him as being screwed up his whole life. That is an exaggeration. 

People often say that Bird With Strings is one of their favorite albums. 

Albert Bierstadt -- Gates of the Yosemite -- August 27, 2020

 

Smithsonian American Art Museum

I have always enjoyed the paintings of Albert Bierstadt. He painted "Gates of the Yosemite" around 1882. It is preserved at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

New Cat #79 -- August 25, 2020

 

I took the photo on 13-August-2020.

Yosemite Valley Railroad 75 Years -- August 24, 2020

 

Los Angeles Herald, 18-May-1906

The Yosemite Valley Railroad, which ran from Merced to El Portal, made its last regularly scheduled trip 75 years ago today, on 24-August-1945. 

COVID-19, Fires, Church, Baseball and School -- July 31, 2020

 

San Mateo stays on the California watch list. COVID-19 is raging through several rural states. 

Fires still rage after dry lightning last weekend. We were supposed to have more today, but have seen only light rain. The roundhouse of the Swanton Pacific Railroad burned. 

We went to mass at Good Shepherd in Pacifica and sat in our car for the second time. It worked. I took a photo after dismissal. 

My wife and daughter started the new school year teaching over Zoom. 

The Giants had a bad stretch and then a good stretch and are nearly up to 500.  Joey Bart made his debut. Evan Longoria hit his 300th home run. The 60-game season is halfway done. 

Dodge Brothers Motor Car -- August 23, 2020

 

Indiana Daily Times, 17-August-1920

John Francis Dodge died from the influenza in January, 1920. His brother Horace Elgin Dodge died from the influenza in December, 1920. 

Ray Bradbury 100 -- August 22, 2020

 

Ray Bradbury was born 100 years ago today, on 22-August-1920. I'm not usually a science fiction fan, but he wrote science fiction that was very human-centered, and he wrote many stories that were not science fiction. I first read Dandelion Wine while I was in grammar school and it made an impression on me, especially the part about the trolley. I think I heard a series of X Minus One or Dimension X adaptions of The Martian Chronicles before I read it. 

 He wanted to be a magician. I went with my family to hear him speak at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater, but I was too young to remember much.

USS Delaware -- August 21, 2020

 

Leslie's Weekly, 02-January-1908

USS Delware (BB-28) was the first American Dreadnought designed after the Royal Navy unveiled the original Dreadnought. During World War One, Delaware served with the British Grand Fleet. She was scrapped in 1924. 

WWJ Detroit -- August 20, 2020

 

Variety, 15-August-1945

Detroit radio station WWJ claims to be the first commercial broadcasting station in the United States, perhaps in the world. 100 years ago today, on 20-August-1920, the station, then known as 8MK, began daily broadcasts as the "Detroit News Radiophone." There is a footnote in this 25th anniversary ad from Variety: "*WWJ acknowledges the pioneering research efforts of such scientists as Dr. Lee de Forest, Dr. Frank Conrad and others operating under experimental and amateur licenses."

Fires -- August 19, 2020

maps.google.com

Sunday we went to outdoor mass at Good Shepherd Church in Pacifica. When we got up, we had noticed that the ground was wet. Later we learned that there had been a thunderstorm during the night. We had the option to sit in our car in the upper yard and listen to the mass on a low-power FM station. That worked well.  As we sat during mass, we kept seeing lightning bolts over the ocean. We heard thunder. Right before the consecration, my wife said that Father should hurry up because it was going to rain in ten minutes.  She was right. 

Since then, there have been lightning-caused fires all over California. My wife found ash on her car this morning, probably from the CZU Lightning Complex fire in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. 

John Wesley Hardin 125 Years -- August 19, 1895

 

Daily Ardmorite, 20-August-1895

John Wesley Hardin, one of the last old-time outlaws in the West, was shot dead 125 years ago today, on 19-August-1895. Bass Outlaw was a former Texas Ranger. Heck of a name. 

JOHN WESLEY HARDIN

Killed Monday Night at El Paso, Texas.

Died with His Boots on in True

Desperado Style.

El Paso, Tex., Aug. 19. -Tonight at 11 o'clock John Wesley Hardin, the terror of the border, was shot and killed in the Acme saloon, this city, by Constable John Sellman. Sellman's son, on the police force, arrested a female friend of Hardin's a few nights ago and this afternoon Hardin threatened to run Sellman out of town.

At 11 o'clock tonight Sellman walked into the Acme with a friend, and Hardin was standing at the bar shaking dice with some friends. When he saw Sellman he whirled around and threw his hand to his hip pocket. In an instant Sellman's gun was out and a ball went crashing through Hardin's brain, and while he was falling Sellman pumped two more balls from his 44 into the man's body and then walked out and surrendered himself.

Hardin had in his life time killed nine men and served eight years in prison for one of his murders. While in prison at Huntsville he studied law and was admitted to the bar on his release from prison nearly two years ago. Several months ago he held up a faro game in this city. Sellman, the slayer of Hardin, is the officer who killed the noted Bass Outlaw in this city a year ago.

The Last Strand is Broken -- August 18, 2020

 

Mount Sterling, KY Advocate, 19-August-1920

100 years ago today, on  18-August-1920, Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment, giving (white) women throughout the United States the right to vote. 

Killed By Pitched Ball -- August 17, 2020

 

Indiana Daily Times, 17-August-1920

The Cleveland Indians were playing the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds. Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman was hit in the head by a submarine pitch from Yankee Carl Mays. Tris Speaker had been a famous outfielder. Chapman was well-regarded and Mays was not. Chapman died early the next morning. This encouraged baseball to require umpires to keep a clean ball in play. Chapman's pregnant wife Katie rushed to New York on a train and fainted when she learned that her husband was dead. 

Players from Boston and Detroit threatened to boycott any game that Mays pitched in. 

PLAYERS AND FANS NATION OVER MOURN LOSS OF ONE OF GAME’S GREATEST INFIELDERS

PITCHED BALL

CAUSES DEATH

OF MAJOR STAR

Ray Chapman, Cleveland

Shortstop, Succumbs After

Being Hit by Mays.

SKULL WAS FRACTURED

Ball Took Fast Jump,

Pitcher Mays Declares

NEW YORK, Aug. 17.—Pitcher Carl Mays of the Yankees declared this morning before he had heard that Ray Chapman had died, that the injury was due to a roughened surface on the ball.

"A roughened spot on a ball—sometimes even a scratch —-will make a ball do queer things. The ball that hit Chapman was a fast one that took a fierce jump as it approached the plate.

“Chapman, never had a chance to get out of the way."

Mays was told of Chapman's death by a reporter after he had told the story of the accident. He said he had nothing to say except that he was profoundly shocked.

Tris Speaker, manager of the Cleveland club, declined to say anything about the accident, except that Mays was in no way responsible. He agreed that a roughened ball probably made it take the hop that caused the death of the Cleveland shortstop.

Speaker said he had been “all broken up over the loss of a good pal and my entire sympathy goes out to his bereaved wife in her hour of grief.”

NEW YORK. Aug. 17.—Ray Chapman, shortstop for the Cleveland American league baseball team, died early today from injuries be received when he was hit by a pitched ball at the Polo grounds yesterday.

Today’s game between the Yankees and the Indians was called off as the result of Chapman’s death.

Chapman was hit in the head yesterday when he attempted to dodge a fast curve pitched by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning. He was rushed to St. Lawrence hospital.

SMALL PIECE OF
SKILL REMOVED.

Physicians declared he had a fractured skull. An operation was performed at midnight, two surgeons and several nurses assisting. The surgeons made an incision three and a half inches long through fte base of the skull. The operation disclosed a rupture of the lateral sinus and a quantity of clotted blood. A small piece of skull was removed.

However, after the operation, the doctors expressed little hope of being able to save the player's life. They declared his condition was such that he could live only a few hours.

This information, when carried to the Cleveland players at their hotel, who awaited up for news of their teammate, had a depressing effect. They retired after leaving word that news of any developments should immediately be sent to them. They were called shortly after 5 a. m. and informed of Chapman's death.

PLAYING HELPS
KEEP TEAM UP.

Chapman was one of the best shortstops in either of the major leagues. His work has aided greatly in keeping the Cleveland Indians well to the front in the pennant race.

He was the first man to bat in the fifth inning of yesterday's game and was leaning over the plate, crouching low. Mays, who has an underhanded delivery, threw a fast, sharp curve. Chapman dodged, but the curve caused the ball to follow him and struck him on the left side of the head.

Mays was working Chapman carefully and the fact that the ball struck Chapman was because the curve broke faster than the batter expected.

Chapman dropped to the ground unconscious. The crack of the ball hitting his head could be heard over the entire Polo grounds.

The Cleveland players gathered around Chapman and attempted to aid him. A doctor was summoned from the stand and gave first aid, Chapman regained consciousness for a moment, the only time before his death. He was carried from the field and hurried to the hospital.

PLAYER’S HOME
AT HERRON, ILL.

At the hospital today it was said the body was still being held there, but probably would be sent to Cleveland at once. Chapman's home was in Herron, Williamson county, Illinois. His wife was living in Cleveland during the baseball season and was notified when he was injured. She was en-route to New York early today.

Chapman was 29 years old. He was born in Owensboro, KY., and broke into organized baseball in 1910, when he played with the Davenport club. He remained there part of the 1911 season, when he went to the Toledo American association team.

He went to Cleveland in 1912 and since has played continuously with that club. During 1916 he was out of the game for two months with a broken ankle.

Chapman always played the position of shortstop with the exception of a brief period when he filled in at second base and later third for the Cleveland team. He was consistently around .300 during his stay in the game.

First in Majors

NEW YORK, Aug. 17. —Ray Chapman is the first major league baseball player to be killed by a pitched ball, so far as modern records show.

Semi-pro and amateur players have been killed in such a fashion, but major leaguers have been free from such accidents In former seasons.

MICHIGAN PLAYER DIES.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 17.—Carl Jager, 27. of Plainwell. Mich., died in a hospital at Kalamazoo today from injuries received when he was struck in the head by a baseball during a game in which he was playing at Kalamazoo Sunday. His skull was fractured and he did not regain consciousness.

Pulp -- Ace G-Man Stories -- August 15, 2020

www.coverbrowser.com

FBI agents Klaw, Kerrigan and Murdoch were the Suicide Squad in Ace G-Man Stories from 1939 to 1943. They managed to survive a series of suicide missions. Their methods were not delicate.

V-J Day 75 Years-- August 14, 2020

 

Cincinnati Enquirer, 15-August-1945

75 years ago today, on 14-August-2020, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies. Celebrations in US cities were big and sometimes violent. 

Bert Lahr, 125 -- August 13, 2020

 

www.listal.com

Bert Lahr, beloved for playing the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 Wizard of Oz and not remembered for much else, was born 125 years ago today, on 13-August-1895. My family watched the Wizard of Oz when it was on CBS every year around Easter time. My favorite part was when the Lion ran away and dove through a window. I have seen Bert Lahr in other movies, and haven't liked most of them.

www.listal.com

Comic Book -- Whiz Comics -- August 11, 2020

coverbrowser.com

Captain Marvel, the Big Red Cheese, made his debut in Whiz Comics #2, published by Fawcett. Fawcett had earlier published the humor magazine Captain Billy's Whiz Bang. The Captain was Billy Batson, a boy who worked for radio station WHIZ. An ancient wizard gave him the ability to become adult Captain Marvel by saying the word "SHAZAM." Captain Marvel, often drawn by CC Beck, was Superman's greatest competitor until National Periodicals (DC) won a lawsuit alleging that Captain Marvel infringed on Superman's copyright. At the same time, most superhero titles were dead or declining. DC revived Captain Marvel in the 1970s.

Doctor Sivana was Cap's greatest enemy.

Nagasaki 75 Years -- August 9, 2020

Three days after destroying the city of Hiroshima with the Little Boy bomb, the United States dropped the Fat Man bomb on the city of Nagasaki. The Japanese had made no response to the Hiroshima bombing, so on 09-August-1945, 75 years ago today, B-29 Bokscar, piloted by Major Charles W Sweeney delivered the atomic bomb. Visibility was poor at the primary target; Nagasaki was the secondary target. 35,000 to 40,000 people died on the ground and many more were injured. 

I have been involved in many discussions, in school and with friends, about the righteousness of the decision to drop the bomb. Operation Downfall, the invasion of Japan, would have killed as many Allied troops as had been killed throughout the war up to that point. Millions of Japanese people, civilian and military, would have died from starvation, injuries or suicide. I think we had to do it. I am sorry we had to do it. 

After the bomb destroyed Nagasaki, the Japanese leaders who wanted to surrender came to prevail. 

Happy International Cat Day, 2020 -- August 8, 2020

Tigerlily wishes everyone a happy International Cat Day

I took the photo on 18-August-2019.

Soledad Brothers -- August 7, 2020

Fifty years ago today, on 07-August-1970. I think I heard on the radio that an armed man had entered a courtroom in the Marin County Courthouse and taken hostages. The man was Jonathan Jackson, 17-year-old brother of George Jackson. He provided guns to defendant, James McClain, and two prisoners waiting to testify. They took the judge, Harold Haley, the deputy district attorney and three jurors as hostages. I remember seeing photos of the judge with a sawed-off shotgun taped to his neck. The kidnappers demanded the release of the Soledad Brothers, a group of prisoners which included George Jackson.  As the kidnappers and hostages drove away in a van, a kidnapper shot at the police, and police fired back.  The judge was killed with the shotgun, the ADA was left paralyzed, and one of the jurors was wounded. Three of the kidnappers died. 

Hiroshima 75 Years -- August 6, 2020

75 years ago today, on 06-August-1945, B-29 Enola Gay of the 509th Composite Group of the US Army Air Force, piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets, dropped the Little Boy atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The blast and fire storm killed 70,000-80,000 people right away. In the next few months 100,000 to 150,000 more people died from the effects. Many survivors still suffer from radiation exposure. 

I have been involved in many discussions, in school and with friends, about the righteousness of the decision to drop the bomb. Operation Downfall, the invasion of Japan, would have killed as many Allied troops as had been killed throughout the war up to that point. Millions of Japanese people, civilian and military, would have died from starvation, injuries or suicide.  I think we had to do it.  I am sorry we had to do it. 

S'Only Ink Too -- August 5, 2020

Washington Times, 22-August-1919

I love George Herriman's Krazy Kat. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The Skipper Ran What You Might Call a "Sight Seeing Excursion" -- August 3, 2020

Washington Times, 04-August-1920

I love Fontaine Fox's The Toonerville Trolley That Meets All the Trains.

Tower Subway 150 -- August 2, 2020

The Illustrated London News, 1870

150 years ago today, on 02-August-1870, London's Tower subway began operating in a tube under the Thames. The single car was pulled back and forth by a cable. The system was not reliable and the tube was converted to a pedestrian walkway by November, 1870.

August, 2020 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- August 1, 2020

Charles Smallwood Collection

I just put the August, 2020 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/


It includes some new items:
1. Picture of the Month: Not a cable car this month. Charles Smallwood hand-colored this image of Market Street Railway car 979 sitting at the outer terminal of the 31-Balboa line, at 30th Avenue and Balboa Street. I grew up down the street, but the streetcars were long gone.
2. On the San Francisco Miscellany page: Thanks to Emiliano Echeverria for letting me present a series of photos that were hand-colored by Charles Smallwood
3. Added News update about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the planned return of Muni Metro service. Updated Cliff Lift article with information about reopenings


Ten years ago this month (August, 2010):
1. Picture of the Month: The intersection of Twelfth and Market Streets in Philadelphia, where the Market Street cable line crossed a horse car line.
2. On the new Pennsylvania page: More about the Philadelphia Traction Company, including a lithograph of Twelfth and Market Streets and an 1892 newspaper article about how Philadelphia gripmen were developing asymmetrically
3. On the Cable Cars in the Pacific Northwest page, photos from our July, 2010 visit to Seattle
4. On the Los Angeles Area funiculars page: Roll out a new article about the funicular at the Victoria Station Restaurant at Universal City. Thank you to John Heller for telling me about the funicular. Also thanks to John for permission to use the only known photo of the Playa Del Rey Incline Railway


Twenty years ago this month (August, 2000):
1. Picture of the Month: Philadelphia Traction train
2. Roll out Philadelphia Traction Company on the Other Cities page.
3. Add news item about bell ringing contest
4. Bibliography: update information about J Bucknall Smith book.

Coming in September:
On the Cable Trams in the UK page: A ten year update on London's Brixton Cable Tramway

150 years ago, on 02-August-1870, London's cable-hauled Tower Subway began service.

125 years ago, on 10-August-1895, the Market Street Railway opened the Fillmore Hill Counterbalance

75 years ago, on 15-August-1945, VJ Day: Huge riots in San Francisco greeted the Japanese surrender

The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/

Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-August-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-January-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 31-July-2019)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (new blog)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/