Streetwise: Mothers of the Western Neighborhoods
by Frank Dunnigan
May 2025
Frank Dunnigan, WNP member and columnist. - This month, in honor of Mother’s Day, we take a look back at some west side moms over time.
Spreckels Lake, Golden Gate Park, circa 1915 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1915—Mathilda (Lange) Zaretsky and her daughter Emilie pose in front of Spreckels Lake (now Blue Heron Lake) in Golden Gate Park.
Mothers Building, Fleishhacker Playground, circa 1934 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1934—The Mothers Building at Fleishhacker Playground (now San Francisco Zoo) is officially called the Delia Fleishhacker Memorial Building. It opened in 1925 as a gift to the city from Herbert and Mortimer Fleishhacker, in memory of their mother, providing a resting place and refreshments for moms and their children. Learn more about the building’s 2022 landmarking in this
Richmond Review article.
Mrs. Dunnigan and son, March 1952 - Courtesy of Frank Dunnigan.1952—Mrs. Dunnigan with her son in the backyard of 2650 18th Avenue on a sunny spring morning.
32nd Avenue, 1952 - Courtesy of Murray Hushion.1952—Mrs. Guglielmore and her two daughters on 32nd Avenue near Moraga, dressed up for Easter Sunday.
19th and Ortega, 1957 - Courtesy of Mike Dineen.1957—Mrs. Dineen and her 3 children at 19th Avenue and Ortega at Easter.
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, circa 1962 - Photo by Andrew Brandi / Courtesy of Richard Brandi.1962—Mother Adele and daughter Laura Brandi at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.
Golden Gate Park, July 20, 1975 - Photo by Greg Gaar / Courtesy of Greg Gaar.1975—Mother and child at the annual Jagannath Cart Festival, Hare Krishna Parade in Golden Gate Park.
Shakespeare Garden, Golden Gate Park, 1990s - Richmond Review Newspaper Collection / Courtesy of Paul Kozakiewicz, Richmond Review.1992—Christine Elvin and son Adam Boone celebrating his first birthday at the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park.
Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
