click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
Some people call it Yerba Buena Island and others call it Treasure Island, but in years past it was a huge Navy support base smack-dab in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
The "original" Yerba Buena Island is small compared to the vast flat area on it's north side, created in the 1930's from dredged bay mud. Treasure Island was home to the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
During the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 a section of the upper roadway slipped and fell onto the lower deck, killing one person and closing the bridge for several weeks.
It was obvious that the cantilevered eastern half of the bridge needed to be replaced. Of course the "powers that be" had to argue about the construction details for ten years, but finally at a projected cost of 6.2 billion dollars construction was started in 2001 and will take a few more years to complete.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
Congress has essentially given Treasure Island to the City and County of San Francisco, and very slowly improvements are being made. New housing has been built and the City is trying to lure industry to the island.
But there's a whole lot of old decaying military buildings remaining -- all tightly closed with posted warnings of asbestos contamination within. This is the old bowling alley -- bowling is what people did for fun before video games became part of our culture.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
And yes, San Francisco isn't very far away...
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2 comments:
TI was our first stop yesterday when Bev (blogger from Florida)and Hubby and I played tourist in SF. Absolutely fantastic day and fun sites to see. TI sure offers a lot of photo ops. I need to go back and spend longer to get some of the gritty shots.
The island is an interesting place. So close to SF and yet a million miles away in 100 ways.
btw, Don, let me tell you that your photos look truly outstanding on an iPad. :)
Tomate Farcie
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