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Tour Original, Transbay Terminal

Cuddles Bar
(1 of 21) (11966 views)

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The tour of the Transbay Terminal allowed peeks into its former glory. Long ago and during its prime, the Transbay Terminal had a cocktail tavern on its first floor, just to the left of its main street-level entrance. Called Cuddles Bar, it could hold up to 89 customers and featured a curved mid-century-style bar.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:01:18 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #130118_7628BCX
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A Diner
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Next to the Cuddles Bar was a diner with two U-shaped counters. No signs were found with the diner's name or date, but the design appeared very 1940's. Unseen in this shot were the seats that were covered in aqua naugahyde.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:01:55 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #130155_7631BCX
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Slide Show
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The folks who are building the new Transbay Transit Center external link to replace this Transbay Terminal, presented a slide show in the diner to describe the history of the original.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:02:10 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #130210_7633BCX
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Corn Flakes
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An old sign was found in the original diner on the first floor of the original Transbay Terminal during the tour. It said, "Men are strong for 'em." And listed, "Kelloggs Corn Flakes and Milk 20¢."


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:02:49 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #130249_7635BCX
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Old Ticket Booths
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In the old day one could purchase bus tickets from actual humans in a booth. Those booths were closed and dirty on the Transbay Terminal's last day.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:14:41 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #131441_7640BCX
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Tour Office
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A one time travel office offered, "Express Deluxe 1 Casino Stop Best Deal $25."


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:14:52 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #131452_7641BCX
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Way To Buses
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A ramp used to lead up to the bus level. But before there were buses, this same ramp led up to trolleys that used to run over the Bay Bridge on its lower deck.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:15:20 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #131520_7642BCX
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Before Buses
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Before buses replaced the trolley Key System, the second floor entry used to have high ceilings, tall windows, and an open feeling. After buses internal link new ceilings closed off that original design.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:32:19 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133219_7645BCX
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Formerly Clean Sign
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Formerly clean signs pointed the way to the AC Transit platforms and ticket machines. On this final day, that sign was finally tagged with graffiti.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:32:57 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133257_7647BCX
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Speed Limit 10
(10 of 21) (7922 views)

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First trolleys from the Key System used to arrive on the third (topmost) level. They were replaced in the 1950's with buses. Tracks were removed and additional roadways added to accommodate the more buses need to replace the fewer trolleys.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:35:35 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133535_7653BCX
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Totally Retired Sign
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On the second floor ceiling was a sign that was totally retired.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:37:23 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133723_7654BCX
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Second Floor
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The second floor was a waiting area and the transfer level between buses. It was now totally empty.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:38:00 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133800_7655BCX
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Ramp To Fremont
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The one-time crowded ramp down to Fremont Street.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:38:21 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133821_7657BCX
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Disused Office
(14 of 21) (7891 views)

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The former supervisor's office for AC Transit. Notice the sign that advised, "Supervisor's Office is now in middle of the terminal next to (F) stop."


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:42:28 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134228_7659BCX
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No More Buses
(15 of 21) (7877 views)

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The AC Transit buses had by now moved to the Temporary Transbay Terminal internal link leaving this bus level abandoned.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:43:58 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134358_7663BCX
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Fallen Sign
(16 of 21) (7878 views)

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A sign had fallen on the third floor (bus) level. It used to advise, "Lane 3 closed Use lane 2."


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:44:44 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134444_7666BCX
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Stand By Parking
(17 of 21) (7932 views)

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In the early days, electric trolleys ran on this level. They would stop and idle, consuming little electricity while stopped. Later came buses to replace them. Buses were originally diesel and harmed the atmosphere when they stopped and idled. Hence the need for two signs, the top said, "Stand By Parking Only," and the lower said, "No engine idling."


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:44:54 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134454_7667BCX
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No Bicycle Riding
(18 of 21) (7898 views)

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Back when the Transbay Terminal functioned, it was forbidden to ride bicycles inside the terminal.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:46:25 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134625_7669BCX
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State Police Bathroom
(19 of 21) (7973 views)

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The California State Police used to have an office inside the Transbay Terminal just to the right of the main floor entrance. When it was functioning, it had its own bathroom.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:48:31 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134831_7670BCX
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State Police Jail Cell
(20 of 21) (7893 views)

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The California State Police used to have an office inside the Transbay Terminal just to the right of the main floor entrance. When it was functioning, it had its own small jail cell.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:48:50 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134850_7671BCX
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Switch On And Door Open
(21 of 21) (7985 views)

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The former California State Police jail cell was left with its door open and the light switch outside it turned on. The next day the Transbay Terminal was closed forever and a few weeks later it began to be torn down.


Tour Original Transbay Terminal 2010   •  San Francisco Transbay Terminal   •  Mission between Fremont and 1st Streets   •  San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 24 November 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:49:11 Friday 30 July 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134911_7673BCX
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