"Old San Francisco"- The kiddie ride that used to be on Fisherman's Wharf

greenspun.com : LUSENET : San Francisco History : One Thread

I can't remember the details very clearly, but back in the 70's, there was a kiddie/tourist ride on Fisherman's Wharf called "Old San Francisco". The ride took you through historic San Francisco events as they were "reenacted" by electronically animated characters. (If you have been to Disneyland, think of the "It's a Small World" ride as something of an equivalent.) The ride was torn down in the early eighties to make room for a more modern laser-game type place. I am looking for photographs of this ride and/or the entrance to it. Also, does anyone know who the operators of this attraction were? Does anyone remember this ride clearly enough to give me their recollections of it? Thanks for any help you can give me with this, -Christine

-- Christine Miller (Jadite30@aol.com), August 21, 2000

Answers

That was the ride that first got me interested in history! My Dad would haul my brother and I down to the wharf for faher/son nights back then. I remember my little brother was truly frightened in the earthquake part.

Ah, the details are hazy, but I remember how that ride and the Balcutha (which was moored nearby) made me ask my Dad: "What happened to all those people who used to live here?"

My father's short response: "They're all dead." :)

Woody www.outsidelands.org

-- Woody LaBounty (woody@outsidelands.org), August 29, 2000.


The ride was located adjacent to the Wax Museum on the 100 block of Jefferson Street at Fisherman's Wharf. This entire block was recently demolished and rebuilt by the current Museum owners. I recommend you contact them and see if they have any photos of the complex back in the '70s.

The address is The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf,145 Jefferson St., San Francisco, CA 94133. Their web page is http://www.waxmuseum.com/

John Martini

-- John Martini (martini@slip.net), August 29, 2000.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ