Time After Time - Into The Future
The time machine has transported Herbert 86 years into the future smack in the middle of a museum exhibit about his life. A sign advertises it outside the museum.
Then … the camera pans down to Herbert as he leaves the building. He has no idea yet where he is. (But CitySleuth does - many moons ago he attended a light show at the planetarium here, set to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon album. Super cool.)
… and Now, this was filmed at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, one of the world’s largest natural history museums (map). The Academy tore down the original building in 2005 to make way for an innovative Renzo Piano-designed replacement, below, which opened in 2008.
Then … Here’s a contemporaneous 1970s photo of the original academy.
… and Now, this is the new one. Popular with old and young alike, its exhibits include an Amazonian rainforest, a spectacular aquarium, a penguin habitat, a planetarium and a green, living roof referencing the hills of San Francisco.
Then … Herbert looks across the large concourse spread out before him; over to his left he sees a bandshell structure.
… and Now, this is the Spreckles Temple Of Music, a gift to the city in 1900 by sugar magnate Claus Spreckles. Still in continuous use, it has hosted famous musicians and bands over the decades, from Luciano Pavarotti to the Grateful Dead, for up to 20,000 appreciative attendees.
Then … Herbert exits the park frantically scribbling in his notebook, recording strange sights alien to his Victorian eye (and ours).
… and Now, this, the Golden Gate Park entrance on Fulton Street at 6th Avenue incorporating curved bench seating (map), looks the same today.
Then … the junction is clearly street-signed here as the plastic-wrapped lady sashays across the road.
… and Now, the addition of a garage around the corner resulted in the replacement of the two first floor windows on the left.
Then … Herbert steps out oblivious to a Do Not Walk sign causing screeching tires and metal-on-metal. Confused and alarmed, yes, but fortunately he is unscathed.
… and Now, thanks to road work Citysleuth was able to stand here with impunity while taking this matching photo. Of interest is the gabled structure on the left (just visible beyond Herbert, above) - it’s the old Powell Street Railroad Company’s rail stop at Fulton Street and 7th Avenue.
It was built in 1889. Viewed from the park looking towards Fulton Street we see it’s been maintained in fine condition to this day.