The Retroist

The Retroist

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Pacifica and the San Francisco World’s Fair of 1939

Pacifica and the San Francisco World’s Fair of 1939

Retroist's avatar
Retroist
Mar 27, 2013
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Pacifica and the San Francisco World’s Fair of 1939
Share

Allow me to whisk you back to my childhood, a time when a PBS special on World's Fairs held me in rapt attention. Amidst the stories of these global spectacles, the San Francisco World's Fair of 1939 stood out like a captivating puzzle piece. An event of such magnitude during a period shadowed by the impending storm of World War – now that was an intriguing scenario.

Flash forward to my time in San Francisco, where my fascination with this bygone era led me on a quest to unearth remnants of that spectacular fair. Though fragments of its existence linger on, the true grandeur has dissipated over time. One of the treasures I yearned to see was the statue of Pacifica, a figure that had commanded attention during those days. Regrettably, that statue has vanished, leaving behind a void. Yet, a glimmer of hope shines through.

The vision for Pacifica's resurgence remains alive and vibrant. A noble endeavor is underway to restore her rightful place on Treasure Island. The Pacifica II initiative has emerged, seeking both funds and awareness to resurrect what was once dubbed the "Statue of Liberty of the West." So why not lend a hand? Pay a visit to their cause, consider joining the effort, and play a role in resurrecting this symbolic beacon between Oakland and San Francisco.

An update on this project, however, reveals a different outcome. It seems that this endeavor has met an unfortunate end, leading to the takedown of its website.

While the prospect of witnessing the mighty Pacifica statue might be a distant dream, there's no reason to withhold a glimpse into the past. Take a moment to immerse yourself in the enchanting tapestry of the San Francisco World's Fair of 1939. It's a window into a time when grand visions took flight, and the world was captivated by an event that temporarily transported us from reality into the realm of awe-inspiring fantasy.


Subscribe to The Retroist

Launched 5 years ago
A Retro Podcast, Blog, and Newsletter.
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Pacifica and the San Francisco World’s Fair of 1939
Share

Discussion about this post

User's avatar
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Did you ever find a quarter painted red and wonder if that red served a purpose? It does.
Feb 11, 2017 • 
Retroist
46

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
6
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Unless you lived in the 1930s or are a fan of vintage comic strips you might not be aware of the attempted Mickey Mouse suicide.
Aug 30, 2017 • 
Retroist
9

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Remember when you were a kid, and you would were out roughhousing with your friends.
Oct 23, 2019 • 
Retroist
4

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
2

Ready for more?

© 2025 Retroist
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Create your profile

User's avatar

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.