Any History Buffs here ? (San Jose, San Francisco: house, food, estate)

[ttocs99]

If so, what is your favorite places to go in the Bay Area ? I bought this book a while back, I think it's called "Then and Now", and has some fascinating pics of SF back in the late 1800, early 1900's and now. It's awesome to see some of the same buildings still standing despite the 1906 quake. Are there any places you history buffs love to visit ? San Francisco AND California in general, has such an amazing history.

[sliverbox]

There's a lot of interesting history here. Some of it is not as accessible.

One of the most interesting to me involves the Port Chicago disaster. This was one of the largest war-related disasters on US soil in WW2. Most people have never heard of it. Here is the Wiki article that talks about it:
Port Chicago disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another newer museum that I like is the Rosie the Riveter , US homefront memorial in Richmond. Its fascinating as the museum is within the area that the Kaiser shipyard was. They built Victory ships there at a lightening pace.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by ttocs99

If so, what is your favorite places to go in the Bay Area ? I bought this book a while back, I think it's called "Then and Now", and has some fascinating pics of SF back in the late 1800, early 1900's and now. It's awesome to see some of the same buildings still standing despite the 1906 quake. Are there any places you history buffs love to visit ? San Francisco AND California in general, has such an amazing history.

If you like Bay Area/San Francisco history, a visit to the Oakland Museum of California is a MUST if you haven't already been...Really fantastic museum! It's also cheap and parking is easy!

[SunDevil1212]

Fort Point is a fun place to visit...and free.

[mr bolo]

USS HORNET museum [WWII aircraft carrier] Alameda

Winchester mystery house , San Jose

[Ruth4Truth]

There's a lot to be learned at General Mariano Vallejo's estate, Lachryma Montis, in Sonoma, and the old Sonoma barracks are still there, too. Also, I like Fort Ross, preserved (reconstructed after a couple of fires) from the time that the Russians held Alaska, and needed a trading station to get food and other goods from the Mexicans.
http://www.noehill.com/sonoma/cal0004.asp
http://www.fortrossstatepark.org/

[ttocs99]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

There's a lot to be learned at General Mariano Vallejo's estate, Lachryma Montis, in Sonoma, and the old Sonoma barracks are still there, too. Also, I like Fort Ross, preserved (reconstructed after a couple of fires) from the time that the Russians held Alaska, and needed a trading station to get food and other goods from the Mexicans.
California Historical Landmark #4: Vallejo Estate in Sonoma County
Fort Ross SHP Interpretation and Education

I really like the old Sonoma Barricks. I was hoping for some more walkable stuff in SF. My family and I will be there from July 14th-July 20th, and I was looking for some city stuff history wise. On a side note, I could hang out at that Wells Fargo on Montgomery (a few blocks from the Transamerica Building) for hours, they have a great little museum inside.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ttocs99

I really like the old Sonoma Barricks. I was hoping for some more walkable stuff in SF. My family and I will be there from July 14th-July 20th, and I was looking for some city stuff history wise. On a side note, I could hang out at that Wells Fargo on Montgomery (a few blocks from the Transamerica Building) for hours, they have a great little museum inside.

Oh, thanks for that tip. I had no idea they had a museum inside.

[countofmc]

The Missions all around California.

In the Bay Area, I really like the Asian Art Museum. Probably the best of its kind in the country.

[ttocs99]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Oh, thanks for that tip. I had no idea they had a museum inside.

Yeah, they have an OLD Wells Fargo Stagecoach right in the window, you can't miss it. Probably from the 1880's. Inside they have 2 stories of really cool museum quality stuff, old handcuffs and guns. Old checks, letters, really cool stuff.