Children's Playground, Golden Gate Park c1887

Not far from these rather pastoral swings, with the air carrying the laughter of children were grizzly bears. Real, live bears in dark steel cages. Although safely, we all thought in these restraints, the sense of an exotic environment prevailed, rides on Elephants were popular, were  for a nickle you could take a grand ride, for a moment pretend you were India, and have experience remembered for a lifetime.  
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photographer unknown, possibly Taber from original albumen print
Collection of San Francisco Images / World Wide Archive.

references
Golden Gate Park's Children's Playground
http://www.outsidelands.org/swendsen3.php

Chinese in ceremonial costumes in Golden Gate Park c1880

One of my favorite views in our collection by famed San Francisco photographer

W.C. Billington - Palm Avenue runs to the gate on the left. The gate is now gone but the pair of lions that were in front of it are still there although they may be copies.   This is from an original Albumen print - also available in case you are interested in acquiring it on Ebay
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