My mother, and I, both helped restore the Oak Meadow carousel...and you can see our painted panels on the central column (the Lions, the Giraffe, and there's a tiger mounted on the wall). While stripping the paint off of the outer German horses, my mother discovered that the lead crystal gems mounted in them (gold leaf backed, and worn by time) were Nova jewels taken from the demolished Tower of Jewels. Each was mounted with PEPIE logo medallion and embedded into the wooden horse. I love this carousel, and have so much fond memories of preserving it.
Throw in one more PPIE Overfair Railway artifact: California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has engine No.1915, never completed and never run at the fair, but was mostly done when Louis MacDermott (Overfair railway's engineer-designer and entreprenurial operator) began running his fair trains. No.1915 was gifted to CSRM by the late Al Smith and after extensive research, CSRM staff and volunteers completed the locomotive to original MacDermott standard and then installed it in the museum's entry lobby as a static display. It's gorgeous! Now, if I could just locate the PPIE's lumber industry exhibit building "The Home of Redwood" ~ a very handsome, large residence, complete inside and out and styled in a mix of Colonial-Revival and Tyrolean architecture with an Arts & Crafts interior. Supposedly it, too, was sold off and barged away...perhaps down to the SF Peninsula. I have heard it became some sort of civic women's club house, but so far haven't been able to prove or disprove that story or find the building. Since I'm trying to complete a book on the California redwood lumber industry, that would be a *great* find!
***** Kris I have watched all your video's keep up the good work. We need these shows on PBS (if they are not already there). Huell Howser would approve and it's apparent that you bring the same passion and wonder to discovery of our past as he did. You make me want to go explore California's Treasures ( you can use the name) and I plan on stopping at all these places and wonder about what was........like I was 12 all over again. Love it.
It's 5 years later and I'd love to know if that pipe organ is still in storage. Whomever is allowing that thing to remain down there aught to be arrested. It's a crime to leave such a beautiful instrument and valuable piece of history just locked up like that. Another nice piece of work Kris. I had no clue this exposition even existed until watching this!
Kris, I really enjoyed watching this video. Keep doing what you're doing because you're also filling a huge void of when California's Gold tv show was no more (I loved how the host walked through streets of certain cities/towns, breaking down the historical value much like you do in your videos). Quick question: Have you ever heard of Zapp's Park that used to be in Fresno, CA? I work about few blocks away from the former site and there's little to no evidence of it other than a mural of the park at the elementary school that now sits on that location. I always heard of it but never knew what it REALLY looked like. Any info on that by chance?
I enjoyed this short film very much. Just one correction: There was never a "Pan-Pacfic" Exposition. It was called the "PANAMA-Pacific International Exposition". The words "Pan-Pacific" means "from along the edge of the Pacific Ocean or Pacific Rim", which has nothing to do with the San Francisco fair of 1915. It was an officially sanctioned "world's fair" to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal and featured products and commerce from all around the world, including pavilions from Italy, France, and Argentina. "Pan" and "Panama" are two separate concepts entirely. The historic display at the Van's Restaurant is even more confusing, with a sign calling it the "Pan-American" Exposition. It was never called that at any time. In 2015 the city of San Francisco and California Historical Society will have numerous events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Exposition.
whats up with the little carts seen roaming the festival . I've just never seen pics of that what appears to be the first hoveround. gas or electric im curious for some reason
My buddy found a token from this fair while metal detecting at the ruin's of an old resort hot spring's in Red Bluff. all the detecting we did is SF and found nothing from this.
My mother, and I, both helped restore the Oak Meadow carousel...and you can see our painted panels on the central column (the Lions, the Giraffe, and there's a tiger mounted on the wall).
While stripping the paint off of the outer German horses, my mother discovered that the lead crystal gems mounted in them (gold leaf backed, and worn by time) were Nova jewels taken from the demolished Tower of Jewels. Each was mounted with PEPIE logo medallion and embedded into the wooden horse.
I love this carousel, and have so much fond memories of preserving it.
And another great episode! So, did I understand correctly that the passenger cars of the train are at one place, but the locomotive is someplace else?
Throw in one more PPIE Overfair Railway artifact: California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has engine No.1915, never completed and never run at the fair, but was mostly done when Louis MacDermott (Overfair railway's engineer-designer and entreprenurial operator) began running his fair trains. No.1915 was gifted to CSRM by the late Al Smith and after extensive research, CSRM staff and volunteers completed the locomotive to original MacDermott standard and then installed it in the museum's entry lobby as a static display. It's gorgeous!
Now, if I could just locate the PPIE's lumber industry exhibit building "The Home of Redwood" ~ a very handsome, large residence, complete inside and out and styled in a mix of Colonial-Revival and Tyrolean architecture with an Arts & Crafts interior. Supposedly it, too, was sold off and barged away...perhaps down to the SF Peninsula. I have heard it became some sort of civic women's club house, but so far haven't been able to prove or disprove that story or find the building. Since I'm trying to complete a book on the California redwood lumber industry, that would be a *great* find!
By the way, Kris ~ GREAT job once again. Damn, you're good at what you do!
Feel free to share with your favorite news stations and cable networks! We'd love to keep doing this on a national level!
*****
Will do!
***** Yes
***** Kris I have watched all your video's keep up the good work. We need these shows on PBS (if they are not already there). Huell Howser would approve and it's apparent that you bring the same passion and wonder to discovery of our past as he did. You make me want to go explore California's Treasures ( you can use the name) and I plan on stopping at all these places and wonder about what was........like I was 12 all over again.
Love it.
Great video! I've been really enjoying this series. FYI, if you want a good laugh, watch this with the captions turned on.
It's 5 years later and I'd love to know if that pipe organ is still in storage. Whomever is allowing that thing to remain down there aught to be arrested. It's a crime to leave such a beautiful instrument and valuable piece of history just locked up like that. Another nice piece of work Kris. I had no clue this exposition even existed until watching this!
It most certainly is still down in Brooks Hall.
Wasn't the tea garden in Golden Gate Park from the 1915 Exposition too?
Very well could have been!
Kris, I really enjoyed watching this video. Keep doing what you're doing because you're also filling a huge void of when California's Gold tv show was no more (I loved how the host walked through streets of certain cities/towns, breaking down the historical value much like you do in your videos).
Quick question: Have you ever heard of Zapp's Park that used to be in Fresno, CA? I work about few blocks away from the former site and there's little to no evidence of it other than a mural of the park at the elementary school that now sits on that location. I always heard of it but never knew what it REALLY looked like. Any info on that by chance?
xawesomexelix Sure have - it's on the list, but could be a while before we get to it. Still have 30 parks left to cover!
Love the bit on the organ. San Diego has kept its in shape and still has concerts! Is San Francisco really "the city that knows how?" How to do WHAT?
anne schnoebelen How to screw up a good thing...
I enjoyed this short film very much. Just one correction: There was never a "Pan-Pacfic" Exposition. It was called the "PANAMA-Pacific International Exposition". The words "Pan-Pacific" means "from along the edge of the Pacific Ocean or Pacific Rim", which has nothing to do with the San Francisco fair of 1915. It was an officially sanctioned "world's fair" to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal and featured products and commerce from all around the world, including pavilions from Italy, France, and Argentina. "Pan" and "Panama" are two separate concepts entirely. The historic display at the Van's Restaurant is even more confusing, with a sign calling it the "Pan-American" Exposition. It was never called that at any time. In 2015 the city of San Francisco and California Historical Society will have numerous events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Exposition.
whats up with the little carts seen roaming the festival . I've just never seen pics of that what appears to be the first hoveround. gas or electric im curious for some reason
My buddy found a token from this fair while metal detecting at the ruin's of an old resort hot spring's in Red Bluff. all the detecting we did is SF and found nothing from this.
Not a good year for worldwide celebration..dubious legacy.