San Francisco Whitney's
Playland-at-the-Beach!
1928-1972

Click on the pictures above for a larger view.

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This September 2002 will be the end of the Cliff House Restaurant
as most people remember. Plus, on the 30th Anniversary of Playland's
destruction the Musee Mecanique is being evicted. The Golden Gate
National Recreation Area (GGNRA)Parks Department are responsible.

They are the same people who failed to
see the historic value of the Camera Obscura!


The GGNRA are destroying San Francisco history instead of 
preserving it as promised in their mission statement.
What a very sad day for all of San Francisco.

READ ALL ABOUT IT
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Please sign the online petition to save the Musee Mecanique

MUSEE MECANIQUE PETITION
 http://www.petitiononline.com/musee/petition.html
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**The News We Hoped For!**
Giant Camera Gets Official Historic Status

The Giant Camera has earned its place in American Cultural
and Educational history and was quietly added to the
National Register of Historic Places on May 23, 2001.

Read about how the Camera Obscura was saved: http://www.outsidelands.org/giantcamera.html


San Francisco's Playland-at-the-Beach was the place to go for first dates, weekends and those rare sunny days. I grew up in the Sunset district (you only see the sun when it's setting) and have fond memories of going to Playland with family and friends.

Playland-at-the-Beach was similar to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It was San Francisco's amusement park located by Ocean Beach. George Whitney and his brother Leo owned Playland and operated it for over 40 years. After George's death Playland was sold to Jeremy Ets-Hokin (a millionaire developer). Playland was torn down in 1972 and now the property is occupied with condominiums.

Photographs of the Fun House and of Laughing Sal were taken closing day by my dear neighbor Shirley Leytem. The photograph of the entire Playland Scape and of the Sutro Ruins were taken by my father-in-law Louis Vincent.

Please write to me and share your Playland experiences.

Peggy Vincent ... web weaver

funhouse@cablelynx.com


[Playland Project Beginning]

PLAYLAND Book | Fun House | Laughing Sal | Merry-go-Round | Diving Bell
New Playland Sculptures | Camera Obscura | Sutro Photos | Cliff House
Mayor Brown's Dedication | IT's It | Herb Caen | Sunset Magazine
Poster | Golden Gate Bridge 50th Anniversary | HOME
Steinhart Aquarium