SF History Talk - Mad Ave Meets Golden Gate Park: Ads, Souvenirs, and More

Thu Feb 05 2026 at 07:30 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-08:00

Manny's | San Francisco

Manny's
Publisher/HostManny's
SF History Talk - Mad  Ave Meets Golden Gate Park: Ads, Souvenirs, and More
Advertisement
Learn how the likeness and fame of Golden Gate Park went on to sell a plethora of things, of which the park never earned a cent of income.
About this Event

Part of our culture is based on the premise that someone’s worth allows them to earn money and, in turn, allows them to spend it on something they deem worthy. It’s the job of those advertising agencies, known by the moniker of Madison Avenue, to entice you to part with some cash in favor of their client’s product. With the fame of Golden Gate Park’s existence, since 1870, has come the use of the park to sell many kinds of things. For some it was the park’s co-location relative to residential real estate lots where the park was the “hook.” Also, there have been many forms of product promotion from grass seed to canned fruits to name a few. Souvenirs have also been another product to hawk. And none of these ever provided the park one red cent of income!


Presented by Christopher Pollock, the first Historian in Residence for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department since 2016. His latest publication is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park: A Thousand and Seventeen Acres of Stories (Norfolk Press, 2020) and in process is San Francisco’s Parks (Arcadia, 2023). His various articles can be found in Eden, journal of California Garden and Landscape History Society, California History, published by University of California Press, and Outside Lands, journal of the Western Neighborhoods Project.


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Manny's, 3092 16th Street, San Francisco, United States

Tickets

USD 12.36 to USD 24.72

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in San Francisco

Hack the System
Thu, 05 Feb at 05:30 pm Hack the System

Oracle Park

Prime-Time Flavors of the Bay: A one-night only collaboration
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:00 pm Prime-Time Flavors of the Bay: A one-night only collaboration

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana

Plant & Sip: Terrarium Class w\/ Wine
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:00 pm Plant & Sip: Terrarium Class w/ Wine

1329 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94133

PlayGround Solo Fest: When You Are Called
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:00 pm PlayGround Solo Fest: When You Are Called

Potrero Stage

Art of Whiskey - The Big Game Whiskey Experience
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:00 pm Art of Whiskey - The Big Game Whiskey Experience

One Rincon Center

REBECCA NEWBERGER GOLDSTEIN \u2013 THE MATTERING INSTINCT
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:00 pm REBECCA NEWBERGER GOLDSTEIN – THE MATTERING INSTINCT

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

Hayes Carll at Great American Music Hall
Thu, 05 Feb at 08:00 pm Hayes Carll at Great American Music Hall

Great American Music Hall

Fall Out Boy in San Francisco
Thu, 05 Feb at 08:00 pm Fall Out Boy in San Francisco

The Regency Ballroom

2026 Ditka's Gridiron Greats Cigars with the Stars VIP Super Bowl Party
Thu, 05 Feb at 08:00 pm 2026 Ditka's Gridiron Greats Cigars with the Stars VIP Super Bowl Party

Merchants Exchange Building

Grace Bowers at The Independent
Thu, 05 Feb at 08:30 pm Grace Bowers at The Independent

The Independent

Parking M. Butterfly - San Francisco
Fri, 06 Feb at 03:00 am Parking M. Butterfly - San Francisco

San Francisco Playhouse

Samantha Bee
Fri, 06 Feb at 03:30 am Samantha Bee

Brava Theater Center

San Francisco is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore San Francisco Events