Monkey Block San Francisco's Golden History

S1 Episode 6 Interview at the Wall

July 21, 2021 Girlina Season 1 Episode 6
Monkey Block San Francisco's Golden History
S1 Episode 6 Interview at the Wall
Show Notes Transcript

Today, I explain how Monkey Block came to be, and how the serendipity of the seawall stepped in.

I interview the head bartender/part owner of the High Horse, at 582 Washington Street, San Francisco, and ask him about his connection to the seawall, and San Francisco history.

This seawall has an unpredictable story to tell.

 If you enjoyed this episode, and my original research, you can make a one-time donation at www.buymeacoffee.com/monkeyblocksf.   


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Prologue

For ten years, now, I’ve researched the California gold rush, and San Francisco history out of personal interest. I always wanted to do something with my gathered knowledge, and starting a podcast during Covid’s second shelter in place, felt right. It gave me a positive way to connect to people, and stay engaged. That’s how Monkey Block came to be. 

As part of doing research for my first episode, after completing my walk around ‘Yerba Buena’, I felt a pull towards the opposite side of the TransAmerica building, from where I was standing. I don’t know why I listened to my gut that day, but I did. I walked to the opposite side of the TransAmerica building, and the only thing there, was a bar with its front door open, but wasn’t necessarily ‘open’. The best way I can describe it, is that something was telling me I needed to be there.

I stuck my head in, and asked if they could make drinks to go. I’m not really sure they were actually open that day. Maybe they were. I was thrilled to see Pisco Punch on their menu. 

Will was behind the bar, cleaning and doing other things. He asked me if I was visiting from out of town. I had an out of town look, perhaps? I said I was a local, doing research for my podcast, which was San Francisco history based. Will’s face lit up. He told me about the seawall, in the basement, and my face lit up, too! I’m pretty sure I said a few ‘oh-my-god-oh-my-god-oh-my-god’s’.

Double masked, we went downstairs to this seawall. I was out of my mind with excitement. 

I was stunned by what was in front of me, and I was almost as thrilled to have someone to talk early San Francisco, with. 

Will gave me his card so we could continue to geek out about books. It’s rare, I find people who relish this topic, at the same level. You wouldn’t think it would be so difficult, but … well… yeah. 

I returned to the High Horse, a few days later, to get a better look at the seawall, and take photos. The seawall got me. I was hooked. I was enamored with the seawall, and my mind was set on figuring out its history. 

But, it bothered me, that the seawall existed so quietly. It needed exposure. The bar needed exposure. I felt compelled to help the seawall, the bar, and Will. The restaurant/bar industry was hard hit by the pandemic. On Will’s watch, the seawall is fine. But, what if something changed? I feared the seawall could lose its guardian.

That’s when I got the idea to post the seawall photos on a Facebook group, where other San Francisco history buffs gather. I went with my gut, once more.

And, the rest, as they say, is history. 

Here we go … 

 

Interview


Epilogue

Will met me at 9 a.m., on a Saturday, for this interview. I was a bartender once, so I know how much 9 a.m. hurts, as a bartender. Additionally, he’s a family man, who squeezed in time, between running errands for the two bars, and returning home to his wife and kids for an event. But, he found time to accommodate my microphone, and questions. 

I naively had hoped business was back to normal. But, the restaurant/bar business continues to struggle, even in San Francisco. Add, that the High Horse is a financial district bar. With people still working remotely, that doesn’t generate the same happy hour foot traffic a Financial District bar needs.

I don’t know that I conveyed how surprised, and touched, I was, that Will gave me credit for any of the new found buzz surrounding the seawall. I guess I was caught off guard. But, I know I’m honored to be a part of the collective effort to uncover the history of the seawall, and give it the exposure it needs/wants?

This corner of San Francisco is electric. There’s electricity in the air, which is notable, when everything is still, and the sounds of people, and cars, are absent. And, ‘still’ is what it was, walking around old Yerba Buena/the Financial District during a pandemic.

If you listen closely, you might hear subtle messages, in the wind, and, hear the direction the wind wants you to go.  … On that day, that’s how the serendipity of the seawall happened to me. That day, I listened, with an open mind, and, I found myself at the right place, at the right time. 

The pieces came together in an unpredictable way. And, now, my Covid hobby podcast serves an additional purpose. J

From Lakota mythology, regarding Tate the wind spirit ,
 “As the invisible realm, it’s wind that connects the past, present, and future. Connecting ancestors, and future generations. Uniting humankind, into the essential, eternal spirit.”

I also want to acknowledge you, dear listener, for being on this journey, with me. 

You can find Monkey Block on most podcast publishing sites, and on Twitter, and Facebook. 

Please favorite this podcast, to be alerted when new episodes are released, as well as updates on the seawall.

Thank you for listening, this is Monkey Block, retelling forgotten stories from San Francisco’s golden past.