President Roosevelt reviewed the school children of San Francisco from 10:00am to 10:30am on Wednesday, May 13, 1903. An estimated 40000 school children gathered along both si...
(more)President Roosevelt reviewed the school children of San Francisco from 10:00am to 10:30am on Wednesday, May 13, 1903. An estimated 40000 school children gathered along both sides of Van Ness Avenue, west of the downtown area, for the parade. The wide north-south boulevard, partially lined with the mansions of the wealthy, was the approximate boundary between the old gold rush era city (to the east) and the newer western addition to the west. To better organize the students, each school was assigned a specific block and each student was given a flag to wave. Many adults were also on hand to watch the parade, which entered Van Ness at Pacific Avenue, proceeded south to Market Street, then doubled back up Van Ness to Pacific. The presidential carriage kept to the right so that all the children could get a good view of the President. The following is a scene-by-scene description of the film: The camera was positioned on the southeast corner of O'Farrell Street and Van Ness Avenue, and pans from north to west to south, and then back to west. [Frame: 0100] The view is north on Van Ness Avenue toward the approaching band and cavalry. Students of Whittier School are in the foreground. [0604] The band passing at left is led by conductor Paul Steindorff. [0900] Following the band are the Cleveland Grays, a noted black cavalry troop, led by Captain Young, the first black graduate of West Point. [1398] After a cut in the continuity of the film, the President's carriage approaches
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