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Background
San Francisco has held a Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest
more or less annually since 1955. Until some time in the 1970s, there was also a Miss Cable
Car contest. Miss Cable Car's primary duty was to appear at the Cable Car Bell Ringing
Contest.
Why did they stop? Probably because of some combination of increasing awareness
of women's rights and the contestants suffering from hypothermia.
Miss Cable Car 1967 - Mary Gallagher
Miss Cable Car 1968 - Jennifer (Foreman) de Grassi
In 2006, I received an email from Jennifer Williams, who had been Miss Cable in 1968.
Jennifer kindly provided some photos and newspaper clippings, and told some interesting
stories about her experiences in the contest. The Miss Cable Car contest was held that
year at the
end of the Hyde Street line. There was a reception after at the Haslett Warehouse, which
was the proposed site of a history museum. I have narrowed the date the contest was
held to mid- to late-August of that year.
Jennifer Williams went on to be Idaho Teacher of the Year in 2002.
"(I)t was an incredible experience for a young girl -- marching around Union Square,
bikini-clad, in the fog. I was a student at a local modeling school and they entered me
'on a fluke'- not really believing I'd win. I had nobody there that even knew me. As
another fluke, a dear family friend happened to be in SF snapping photos and didn't
realize I was in the contest, until I won. In two weeks I celebrate my 60th birthday,
but still have my Cable Car trophy, a few photos, and a place tucked away in my heart
for the confidence that single event provided in my own life. I was actually offered
an acting role in Hollywood because of the contest, but decided to continue my studies
at the University of Hawaii. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, four
accomplished children and am still teaching after 35 years. If there is ever an
opportunity- maybe for the 'old Cable Car queens' to be a part of the festivities, I'd
gladly come."
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An undated clipping from the San Francisco Chronicle shows Jennifer (Foreman) de Grassi
at the left in the right-hand photo, at a reception held at the Haslett Warehouse, which
was the proposed site of a history museum. Jennifer Williams Collection.
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An undated clipping from the San Francisco Chronicle shows Clarissa Williams
(runner up), Jennifer de Grassi (winner), and Bonnie Graber (runner up), posing on
car 62. Jennifer Williams Collection.
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An undated clipping from a San Francisco newspaper shows Jennifer de Grassi
posing on a cable car after winning the Miss Cable Car title. Jennifer Williams Collection.
July, 2007 Picture of the Month.
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An undated clipping from a San Francisco newspaper shows Jennifer de Grassi
posing on a cable car after winning the Miss Cable Car title. Jennifer Williams Collection.
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A publicity photo taken at Union Square shows Jennifer de Grassi posing on a ladder,
next to the bell of car 62. Jennifer Williams Collection.
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A publicity photo taken at Union Square shows Jennifer de Grassi posing with various
civic leaders at the Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest in Union Square. Jennifer Williams
Collection.
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Miss Cable Car 1971 - Kathy Cooper
She attended the ceremony on 29-October-1971, near the Hyde and Beach turntable, which marked car 506
being pictured on a US commemorative postage stamp which went on sale the next day. San Francisco
postmaster Lim P Lee presented Miss Cable with a bouquet of flowers.
Miss Cable Car 1972 - Francesca Cresci
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Written on the back of the photo:
"Francesca Cresci, 36-24-36, crowned Miss Cable Car 1972 at The Annual Car Bell-Ringing
Competition." The car looks like Number 62.
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Miss Cable Car 1973 - Barbara Davies
I had the honor to have lunch with Barbara Davies Walsh at the
2007 Cable Car Division Senior Luncheon.
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The date is July 19, 1973, and Powell Street Cable Car No. 1 built as the "Centennial Car"
has just been presented to the people of San Francisco. No. 1 was completed on May 2, 1973,
with the roof and seats from first No. 506, a Carter Bros. car. In 1973 Powell Street
cable cars were painted green and cream, the then standard Muni paint scheme. No. 1,
however, was painted in the maroon and cream colors of the Powell Street Railway,
the original operator in 1888 of the Powell Street cable cars. Pictured in front of
No. 1 are Fred Stindt, Miss Garbo Wong "Miss Chinatown," Friedel Klussmann "The Cable
Car Lady" and Miss Barbara Davies "Miss Cable Car 1973."
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Barbara was kind enough to provide some clippings and photos from her time as Miss Cable Car.
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A clipping from the 03-June-1973 Palo Alto Times, shows Miss Cable Car, Barbara Jean Davies, posing
on a cable car and holding a model of a Powell Street cable car. The caption explains that she will officiate
at the bell ringing contest. Barbara Davies Walsh collection. February, 2011 Picture of the Month
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A clipping from the 03-June-1973 San Francisco Chronicle explains that Barbara Jean Davies and her two
princesses will appear at the next day's bell ringing contest. Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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A clipping from Muni's house magazine, Trolley Topics, June-July 1973, shows Barbara Jean Davies with Al
Davison, winner of the 1973 bell ringing contest. Joe Lacey collection.
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On 25-June-1973, Larry Lewis celebrated his 106th birthday. Here he lifts a toast of spring water
with Barbara Jean Davies on Clay Street Hill car 8, which would celebrate its 100th birthday in
August. I remember Herb Caen quoting Lewis as saying he couldn't get excited about the centennial of
the cable cars, since they were younger than he was. He had retired from his job as a waiter at the
Saint Francis earlier that year, and still jogged six miles every day. Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies passes Union Square on a Powell Street cable car decorated for the
centennial. Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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A clipping from a July, 1973 San Francisco Chronicle, show Miss Cable Car, Barbara Jean Davies. It describes
how the annual Fourth of July fireworks at Candlestick Park would have a cable car theme because of the
centennial. Barbara appeared with the Golden Gate Park Band. Broadcaster Art Finley, Mayor Art, would
be master of ceremonies. Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies hands motorman George W Nelson his Muni Man of the Month award on 26-April-1974.
His fellow Muni men remember him as a good man and a safe operator.
Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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A clipping from the Trolley Topics, Feb-Mar 1974, shows Barbara Jean Davies with Al
Davison, winner of the 1973 bell ringing contest. Joe Lacey collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies stands with Muni General Manager Curtis E Green and Mayor Joe Alioto at a Valentine's Day
ceremony at Kirkland Division on 14-February-1975. H Welton Flynn, President of the San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission, is visible between Green and Alioto. I think I have one of those "Muni Loves You" buttons.
Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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A "Muni Loves You" button. Curtis Green had drivers hand these out, but riders did not always love
Muni, which was going through some serious operating problems.
Art Curtis collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies crowns her successor, Christine Patton, in 1977 at the bell ringing contest.
Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies received a thank you letter from the Public Utilities Commission in 1976, when her
extended term ended. Barbara Davies Walsh collection.
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Barbara Jean Davies had two princesses: Teresa Portocarrero and Anne Goucher.
Miss Cable Car 1977 - Christine Patton
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Christine Patton, Miss Cable Car 1977 with bell ringing contest winner Carl Payne and General Manager Muni Curtiss E Green.
(source: Trolley Topics, September, 1977)
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Christine Patton won the 1977 Miss Cable Car contest. Runners up were Kristine Buchner and Renee Barton.
Miss Cable Car 1978 - Darlene Woodrich
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Miss Cable Car 1978, Darlene Woodrich with bell ringing contest winner Carl Payne.
(source: Trolley Topics, June, 1978)
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Darlene Woodrich won the 1978 Miss Cable Car contest. Runners up were Kristine Buchner and Vera Annalore.
Miss Cable Car 1979 - Jerri Seago
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Jerri Seago with Michael McClure, cable car bell ringing contest winner.
(source: Trolley Topics, November, 1979)
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Jerri Seago won the 1979 Miss Cable Car contest.
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