Episodios

  • Part 2 Interview with author Terry Hamburg "Land of the Dead, How the West Changed Death in America"
    Mar 23 2025

    This is Part 2 of my interview with author Terry Hamburg, author of "Land of the Dead, How the West Changed Death in America".

    In this episode Terry tells us how the four main cemeteries dealt with evicting the dead by the 1940s. I assure you, it's a fascinating story and it will give you historical reference for many parts of San Francisco as well as Colma's necropolis history.

    Purchase the book, here:

    https://www.amazon.com/Land-Dead-Changed-Death-America/dp/1633889866/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9JDS5OLKVB7V&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qU3vNv3F7ybQif2LJRd7hw.5Y3xrS6Kal6ldEU8bf_GtWAXWQiI3ngY7NSktN58ApA&dib_tag=se&keywords=terry+hamburg+land+of+the+dead&qid=1742942103&sprefix=terry+ham%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1


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    41 m
  • Part 1 Interview with author Terry Hamburg "Land of the Dead, How the West Changed Death in America"
    Feb 18 2025

    This episode is an interview with author Terry Hamburg, who wrote a very interesting book on all things dying, death, and burial in San Francisco history. We cover the earliest history of Colma and specifically discuss one cemetery, Cypress Lawn.

    This subject matter might not be for everyone, but please know I approach the discussion about the history of death and burials in San Francisco with respect and genuine curiosity. I think you’ll find it fascinating.


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    39 m
  • S4 E5 Was Montgomery's Landing "near this spot"?
    Dec 16 2024

    The history I’ve read regarding July 9th, 1846, states that the USS Portsmouth pulled up to the shoreline at Montgomery and Clay Street, marines disembarked from the ship and onto land, then marched up Clay Street to raise the American flag in Portsmouth Square. It’s stated as if the soldiers stepped off the ship and directly onto land. But, is that accurate?


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    36 m
  • S4 Ep4 Drinking in Yerba Buena 1847 - Seven Rules and Regulations at Public Houses
    Oct 27 2024

    Have you ever felt like some stories should feel more connected than they do in your brain but instead they feel like untethered facts that are somehow connected? This episode is about just that.

    I want to understand how my past few episodes fit together, since they feel stand alone. I revisit some of my recently covered sources which might point me in the right direction.


    monkeyblocksf@gmail.com (email me directly)
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    39 m
  • S4 Ep3 The Laws of the Town of San Francisco 1847 "Your Water Has a Strange After Taste"
    Sep 17 2024

    By January 30, 1847, the Pueblo de Yerba Buena was officially renamed the Town of San Francisco.

    Mexican laws weren't very well written, if written at all, which left the US military in charge of creating order in a land (Alta California), that wasn't used to having rules.

    This episode is a discussion between Girlina and architectural historian, Jonathon Lammers, regarding the Laws of the Town of San Francisco 1847, as captured in what is believed to be California's first pamphlet written entirely in English.


    monkeyblocksf@gmail.com (email me directly)
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    44 m
  • S4 Ep2 Give Me Back My Horse, Charles Weber, Part 2 of the Battle of Santa Clara
    Aug 10 2024

    In the last episode I discussed the lead up to the Battle of Santa Clara. I chased this rabbit hole of a topic to figure out why Washington Allon Bartlett, Yerba Buena's first American alcalde, was missing for a period of time during his very short term in office.

    How are these two items connected? Listen and find out.


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    40 m
  • S4 Ep1 The Spaniards Are in the Brush Part 1 Prelude to the Battle of Santa Clara
    Jun 26 2024

    Today’s episode is about the changing landscape of Yerba Buena from July 1846 - 1847, just after the US takeover and the early broken promises to Californios.

    In the middle of all the changes, Yerba Buena's first American appointed Alcalde, Washington Allon Bartlett, goes missing, and it has everything to do with ... cows.

    Were the Spaniards really hiding in the brush? Listen and find out.


    monkeyblocksf@gmail.com (email me directly)
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    52 m
  • S3 Ep7 3rd Yr in Review, Sparkletack Interview Host Richard Miller
    Apr 21 2024

    Listen to me fan girl Richard Miller, the host of Sparkletack. The original podcast on San Francisco history, 2006 - 2009.

    I modeled my podcast after Sparkletack so getting to interview him was a huge honor.


    monkeyblocksf@gmail.com (email me directly)
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    buymeacoffee.com/monkeyblocksf (support the podcast)
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    41 m
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