Ellen Murphy celebrates her 100th birthday. Photo by Marilyn Garry-Mulkeen from the Bay Citizen
The Bay Citizen today has a nice article by Martin Mulkeen about his 100 year old great aunt who has spent her entire life living in the Richmond District.
Having moved only once in her life – from 23rd and Lake to 27th and Balboa – Ellen Murphy must hold the record (or at least be in the top 3) for the longest residency in our neighborhood.
The article has some interesting reflections on her years in the city – riding the trolley cars, wooden sidewalks, and her memories of swimming at Sutro Baths.
She recently celebrated her 100th birthday at where else…the Cliff House! She recalled when the sea lions were constantly barking and she could hear them blocks away at her home. And she reflected sadly on the time when her brother drowned in the bay.
Happy 100th birthday to Miss Murphy! I’ve only got about 90 more years to catch up with her Richmond District record, what about you?
Sarah B.
I’ve been in SF since 95 and Richmond District since 99. it’s the best
I live in the house my Grandfather built in 1917 and have the original deed to the sand dune. They moved out here from Hill Street, where they lived after the ’06 quake when their home was ruined. Have a nice pic of their earthquake shack too. While my father an aunts did not make it to the century mark as Ms. Murphy has, they told me many stories about rollerskating to Argonne Elementary (then on Clement) and leaving the skates at a corner store for safekeeping. I have photos of classes from 1918 and 1920 as well. When Balboa was being resurfaced from Arguello to 12th Avenue last year, one could see the trolley tracks still on the road bed. I remember taking the Fulton trolley to go downtown (to Blums of course).
Happy Birthday Ms. Murphy. Many happy returns.
Hi DT,
How cool to still live in your family’s old home! If you haven’t already, I encourage you to reach out to the Western Neighborhoods Project to share your photos. They have become the de facto history keepers for the west side and I’m sure would love to add your photos, land deed etc. to their archive (they’ll scan them and give them back to you). Their website: http://outsidelands.org
Cheers,
Sarah B.
My family has had the pleasure of living next door to Ellen Murphy for over 50 years. She’s been a wonderful neighbor, friend, and keeper of neighborhood history.
Thank you for publishing this lovely tribute to an extraordinary woman.
Happy Birthday, Ellen. May you stay forever young.
I also urge longtime residents of the Richmond District to go through their old photos, particularly movie films, for iconic moments in their life in the Richmond. I attended the film presentation of old San Francisco footage last year and it was delightful. The Western Neighborhoods Project is a great resource on the Richmod District.