SF Marina Tour-Panama Pacific Int'l.Exposition of 1915, from Scott St. entrance
About the event
Note: The subject tour is of one of the great works of architecture, art and art display in history. It was all created in San Francisco's Marina District, all built in only the two years of, 1913 & 1914. The PPIE ran from Feb.1915 to Dec. And then it vanished.
Aside from Bernard Maybeck's Palace of Fine Arts, the re-creation of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.and some remaining statues and sculptures, all we have left are photos, drawings and written descriptions and accounts of what was there in 1915. But the land this was all on is still there and accessible (except for the Doyle Dr. entry ramp area). By combining the land with the eupherma mentioned above we can virtually recreate in our minds eye what was here. So it is not lost if we don't want it to be! The first tours will develop a summary view that will enable more detailed tours come later. Join in this journey into something very special in the worlds of art and architecture. [A link to a video of the PPIE.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY75exH6Rck)
Imagine it's 1915, and you are going to tour the Panama Pacific International Exposition, a San Francisco cultural phenomena. (An idea conceived by Willis Polk in 1891, that eventually had to overcome not only the devastating 1906 Earthquake and Fire, (which made San Franciscans even more determined to have the Exposition), but the start of World War I in Europe. A quarter of million attended opening day and almost twice that many closing day. Imagine how you would spend your day there in 1915. That's what our tour will attempt to do. As we walk a likely route, we would have chosen in 1915. We'll read descriptions of and look at photos of what was along our route.
Take a look and do an arm-chair, *[self-guided walking tour created by the NPS for the Presidio and GGNRA.](https://npshistory.com/publications/goga/brochures/pan-pacific-expo-1915.pdf) Before the PPIE which the lower part of the Marina District was created for, was a tidal marsh that required pumping Bay mud to fill, including the Marina Green.
San Franciscans were very proud and serious about the PPIE. (In 1910 over 4 million$ was raised in a single, two hour, public meeting.) They were making a statement, in letting the world know, that they had successfully survived the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. In fact some very wealthy San Franciscans built mansions in Pacific Hts. just to overlook the PPIE. A way of making their own personal statement that they and the City were back from the ashes and had made an unbelievable recovery.
Chestnut St. has a large assortment of traditional and avant-guard restaurants. Let's pick one out from the listing below. Or if you have a great favorite please recommend it.
Italian Restaurants and Pizza Shops
• [A16](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/m/0220x5j&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAC) : A highly-regarded spot specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza and wines from the Campania region. • [Little Original Joe's](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11t4kffz5b&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAF) : A popular neighborhood staple offering Italian-American classics like vodka pasta, pizza, and burgers. • [Delarosa](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/1tgxts6d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAI) : Known for its Roman-style thin-crust pizza, small plates, and craft cocktails in a lively atmospher • [Norcina (Pierce St)](https://www.norcina.com/): Located just off Chestnut, this Italian spot is praised for its Nor-sting-ya pizza and authentic pasta dishes. • Roma Antica (Scott St): An authentic Italian restaurant featuring homemade pasta like Cacio e Pepe and Lasagna, often with Italian-speaking staff. • [Napizza (Scott St)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11rn77y0nx&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAO) : Offers upscale pizza and pasta, such as truffle mushroom bruschetta and Meyer lemon…
