Woody LaBounty, local historian and founder of the Western Neighborhoods Project, has a new book coming out about one of the quirkiest communities ever to occupy San Francisco.
In the mid-1890s, San Francisco transit companies started selling surplus horse cars and cable cars to the public; $20 with seats intact, $10 without.
What once served as transportation for San Franciscans was turned into bars and restaurants, shoe repair shops, playhouses, laundries, artists’ studios, and even houseboats.
And out by the beach along the Great Highway, a bohemian settlement emerged as writers, judges, and lady bicyclists arranged, combined, and even stacked old transit cars to create “Carville-by-the-Sea.”
LaBounty’s new book of the same name is full of rare images of San Francisco’s Carville from libraries, archives and private collections, and includes extensive footnotes about this piece of local history that has mostly been forgotten.
The 144-page, full color, coffee-table style book is reminiscent of an antique scrapbook with old photos and accompanying notes.
Carville-by-the-Sea will be released on November 1, but is available for pre-order for $35 from the book’s website. Order by October 15 and shipping is free.
I was also in Green Apple Books last weekend and saw it for sale.
LaBounty will be making local appearances to promote the book including a release party on November 1 and a stop at Green Apple Books on November 11. Check out his events page for more information.
I’ve already ordered my copy and can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Woody!
Sarah B.
A sample page from “Carville-by-the-Sea”. See more pages
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