Market Street Railway member Bob Davis saw our post on the return of Powell Street cable car No. 26 to the fleet, wearing the green and cream livery Muni introduced after World War II. It jogged Bob’s memory, and he sent us this photo he took in 1959, of Powell car No. 515 crossing California Street.
Powell Street Cable Car No. 515 at the Fairmont Hotel, 1959. Bob Davis photo. Click to enlarge.
Ever since people first crested Nob Hill on Powell Street cable cars in 1888, they have found that first view of the Bay and Angel Island to be unforgettable. And on this day in 1959, they had another unforgettable sight: the marquee on the Fairmont promoting Nat “King” Cole, crooning in the Venetian Room with the great house band led by Ernie Heckscher. Unforgettable indeed!
