Streetwise: Holiday Scenes in the Western Neighborhoods
by Frank Dunnigan
December 2024
Frank Dunnigan, WNP member and columnist. - Holiday decorations in the western neighborhoods have taken many forms over the years. Dipping into the WNP and OpenSFHistory photo archives reveals a variety of past and present colorful traditions.
Examiner Christmas Tree being installed on Twin Peaks, 1927 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.In the 1920s, a Christmas tree tradition on Twin Peaks was introduced by the San Francisco Examiner—then one of four afternoon newspapers (plus the Bulletin, the Call, and the Daily News). This tree was installed with a solid trunk with hundreds of individual branches bolted on before being lighted.
Christmas archway leading up to Christmas Tree Point, December 23, 1928 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.The Examiner constructed a grand castle-like entrance at Christmas Tree Point on Twin Peaks, shown here in December 1928—with a shuttle bus transporting visitors to the 900-foot-high location.
Examiner Christmas Tree on Twin Peaks, December 21, 1928 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.The lighted
Examiner tree on December 21, 1928—visible from many places across San Francisco and the Bay Area. Check out
Outside Lands podcast #256 on Christmas Tree Point.
Christmas tree with kids of Coast Guard families stationed on Southeast Farallon Island, January 1939 - Photo by Doherty / Courtesy of a Private Collector.Even on Southeast Farallon Island in 1939, San Francisco children celebrated the holidays with various toys and a Christmas tree.
Christmas tree in front of McLaren Lodge, Golden Gate Park, 1940s - Courtesy of a Private Collector.Eventually, there was a movement to decorate the same living tree each year, rather than chopping up and recreating the Examiner tree. Shown here in front of McLaren Lodge in 1940, the tree remains a holiday tradition even today.
Engine 45 Firehouse at 45th Avenue near Irving Street, December 1948 - Courtesy of Robert and Marilyn Katzman.For several years after World War II, San Francisco firefighters engaged in a department-wide competition to decorate individual firehouses. Shown here is Engine Company 45, located at 45th Avenue and Irving Street in 1948. An updated fire station now occupies the site. Learn more about the holiday firehouses in
Outside Lands podcast episode #50.
West Portal end of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, December 1959 - Emiliano Echeverria Collection / Courtesy of Emiliano Echeverria.West Portal Avenue merchants created a fireplace façade, complete with gift-filled stockings and candlesticks, on the entrance to the Twin Peaks Tunnel in December 1959.
View east on Geary near 19th Avenue, 1959 - Courtesy of Jack Tillmany.This image shows Geary Boulevard, near 19th Avenue, with holiday street decorations in December 1959. Many of the businesses shown here have closed over the last 65 years.
View northeast on Geary near 4th Avenue, December 1963 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.Many neighborhood merchant groups from the Mission to the Marina, the Sunset and Richmond Districts, Ingleside and other areas decorated street lamp posts in order to “set the mood” for holiday shopping. Shown here is the intersection of 4th Avenue and Geary Boulevard looking east in December 1963.
Christmas lights on 18th Avenue near Vicente, 1965 - San Francisco Progress.When the first homes were built on the 2600 block of 18th Avenue between Vicente and Wawona Streets, residents began an annual holiday lighting contest. Other than during the World War II years, the tradition continued until the early 1970s.
Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
