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When I started down the road of researching and writing books on San Francisco history, I never imagined all the interesting encounters I’d have with people who had fond memories (and some not-so-fond) they wanted to share… At one of my first book signings in a small suburban bookstore, I thought maybe 15 people would

“You’re working on a book about the old stores? Joseph Magnin? I know Ellen Magnin Newman, and maybe we can arrange for you to talk with her.” YES! I thought. Mrs. Newman was the last of the old guard who were involved with these seminal stores, and I was very excited at the thought of

“If you want to join us, you need to be there at 1:15am sharp. We change the clock precisely at 2am,” said Paul.  I thought, this is going to be interesting. I had just met Paul Bailey-Gates at History Days at the Old Mint.  He had stopped by my table, which was piled high with

Many of us who have lived in the Bay Area for a few decades remember the Ferry Building when it was a forlorn, forgotten building on a declining waterfront, hidden by a double-decker freeway. Many of us who have lived in the Bay Area for a few decades remember the Ferry Building when it was