Tribute - John Gorman's vintage San Francisco

[mshchem]

From the first car on the right, to the fourth back from there: 1941 Buick, '42 Buick, '30 Plymouth, '37 Dodge.

I wonder how difficult it would be to fit a bumper from a 41 Buick onto my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

So pretty! Quite a photograph!!!

 

[Nancy123]

Complete with a portion of a self portrait of your father at the bottom edge?

I suppose that is although it's a bit obscure, and I never would have noticed!

 

[Nancy123]

I wonder how difficult it would be to fit a bumper from a 41 Buick onto my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

So pretty! Quite a photograph!!!

They sure don't make bumpers like they used to!

 

[MattKing]

I suppose that is although it's a bit obscure, and I never would have noticed!

I have a couple of car photos of my own where I discovered my own self-portrait after the fact
So I might be more attuned to this than some!

 

[Nancy123]

I have a couple of car photos of my own where I discovered my own self-portrait after the fact
So I might be more attuned to this than some!

Now that you mention it, I have them, too!

 

[Nancy123]

When I first saw this photo, taken in the 1940s, I thought "Compton's" sounded vaguely familiar. So I looked it up and learned it was a popular cafeteria and the site of a riot in 1966 with the transgendered customers clashing with police. I was 16 at the time and didn't pay much attention to the news then. I guess I should have!

 

[Ben 4]

Fun to see the old 7up logo on the wall!

 

[Nancy123]

Fun to see the old 7up logo on the wall!

I'm kind of fascinated by "Bimbo's 365 Club." Also, I should have mentioned that there were many Compton's around S.F. and the Bay Area and this one was not where the riot happened.

 

[Tom Taylor]

When I first saw this photo, taken in the 1940s, I thought "Compton's" sounded vaguely familiar. So I looked it up and learned it was a popular cafeteria and the site of a riot in 1966 with the transgendered customers clashing with police. I was 16 at the time and didn't pay much attention to the news then. I guess I should have!

That photo is not of the Compton's location where the '66 riot took place (Taylor at Turk street). Looks more like a Market street location where the intersections are wide. Compton's was a San Francisco chain operating from the '40's through the, I think, 70's and those autos appear to be '40's vintage.

Thomas

 

[MattKing]

I'm kind of fascinated by "Bimbo's 365 Club."

Then you probably enjoy driving by the local production site for these people's products
https://bimbocanada.com/about-us

 

[qqphot]

I'm kind of fascinated by "Bimbo's 365 Club." Also, I should have mentioned that there were many Compton's around S.F. and the Bay Area and this one was not where the riot happened.

You'll be interested to know that it still exists! I attended a new years eve party there about 5 years ago!

Home - Bimbo's 365 Club

Check out upcoming events at historic FitzGerald's in Berwyn, Illinois. Find out who's playing and when, and get tickets.

bimbos365club.com

 

[Nancy123]

You'll be interested to know that it still exists! I attended a new years eve party there about 5 years ago!

That's pretty amazing. I had no idea!

 

[Nancy123]

Then you probably enjoy driving by the local production site for these people's products
https://bimbocanada.com/about-us

Thanks! I learn the most interesting things from Photrio members!

 

[Nancy123]

That photo is not of the Compton's location where the '66 riot took place (Taylor at Turk street). Looks more like a Market street location where the intersections are wide. Compton's was a San Francisco chain operating from the '40's through the, I think, 70's and those autos appear to be '40's vintage.

You are absolutely right, Tom.

 

[qqphot]

That photo is not of the Compton's location where the '66 riot took place (Taylor at Turk street). Looks more like a Market street location where the intersections are wide. Compton's was a San Francisco chain operating from the '40's through the, I think, 70's and those autos appear to be '40's vintage.

Thomas

I think this is maybe the intersection of Market, McAllister, Jones, with the Hibernia Bank building out of frame to the left.

 

[pentaxuser]

I'm wondering if that guy dropped his Speed Graphic to try to catch the falling boxer.

Were they still using Speed Graphics in the 60s ?

pentaxuser

 

[Nancy123]

Were they still using Speed Graphics in the 60s ?

I have some 4x5 negs that date as late as 1970 but for newspaper work, I think by the '60s they were using 2 1/4 then soon after, 35mm. As for the boxing photo, I'd have to find the negative to be sure about that one.

 

[Nancy123]

You learn something new every day. From Wikipedia:

"The War Assets Administration disposed of surplus consumer, capital, and producer goods; industrial and maritime real property; and airports and aircraft located in the United States and its territories. American factories had produced massive amounts of weaponry during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of tons of surplus military equipment, from mess kits to tanks, airplanes, machine guns, artillery, and even warships, were offered for sale as scrap by the WAA. Other items were sold for immediate use by consumers in their homes, vehicles, and businesses.

"In addition, government-owned industrial plants, airfields, and other real property was sold or turned over. Even patents, industrial processes, manufacturing techniques, and inventions were declared surplus and put up for sale. The WAA was abolished by the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, June 30, 1949. It was succeeded by the General Services Administration, as liquidator." --- Photo taken 1947; description is E. side of Van Ness fr. Fell and Market. I can't find anything that looks like it today on Google Streets.

 

[Kino]

What I wouldn't give to walk through that store today!

However, even now, NOS war surplus is being discovered buried in government warehouses in small quantities and turns up on the GAO Auction Website.

The US WWII war machine was truly formidable and took 6 to 9 months to slow to a halt.

 

[Nancy123]

What I wouldn't give to walk through that store today!

I guess all that's left are a few military surplus stores here and there. The WAA store would have been amazing to see. I'm pretty sure my dad would have stayed away from it though. He hated army life!

 

[millenial]

What a blast it is to see all these photos, Nancy! I can't imagine what it's like for you combing through your father's work. Please keep it coming!

 

[Tom Taylor]

I think this is maybe the intersection of Market, McAllister, Jones, with the Hibernia Bank building out of frame to the left.

I think it was taken from the intersection of Market and Van Ness looking towards the bay. The dome appears to be SF City Hall.

Thomas

 

[Tom Taylor]

You learn something new every day. From Wikipedia:

"The War Assets Administration disposed of surplus consumer, capital, and producer goods; industrial and maritime real property; and airports and aircraft located in the United States and its territories. American factories had produced massive amounts of weaponry during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of tons of surplus military equipment, from mess kits to tanks, airplanes, machine guns, artillery, and even warships, were offered for sale as scrap by the WAA. Other items were sold for immediate use by consumers in their homes, vehicles, and businesses.

"In addition, government-owned industrial plants, airfields, and other real property was sold or turned over. Even patents, industrial processes, manufacturing techniques, and inventions were declared surplus and put up for sale. The WAA was abolished by the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, June 30, 1949. It was succeeded by the General Services Administration, as liquidator." --- Photo taken 1947; description is E. side of Van Ness fr. Fell and Market. I can't find anything that looks like it today on Google Streets.

If you look closely, you can see what looks like the Compton's shown in post 206 above. That whole side of Van Ness was demolished a few years back. On the corner, where you see the Compton's sign was a restaurant/cafe/coffee shop, maybe a Denny's or something like that.

Where you see the Coca Cola sign is/was today Bank of America corporate offices and central processing where all paper checks were processed. A few steps beyond (S. Van Ness) was the Coca Cola branch where all the sodas wee shipped from. I actually worked there when I first came to SF. Today a Goodwill store is there.

Thomas

 

[Ben 4]

You're right—there's Compton's at the end of the right-hand facade. Good catch!

 

[Nancy123]

I actually worked there when I first came to SF. Today a Goodwill store is there.

Well that works for me! Thanks for the info. I know things can't stay the same forever and buildings fall apart and progress must move forward but that looked like a nice building in its day. Hate to see them get demolished.