Tours of the Tales

A note about Lombard Street: The block of Lombard above Leavenworth is promoted as the crookedest street in San Francisco – some say the world.  There is another street in San Francisco that rivals Lombard for this distinction: Vermont Street on Potrero Hill.  Although Vermont has one less turn than Lombard, the hill is steeper and the turns sharper.  Many San Franciscans don’t know Vermont Street exists.

the body of a woman was found.  The door to the bedroom where Mary Lou’s body was found was locked from the inside.  There was no smoke in Mary Lou’s lungs.  And the cause of the fire was never determined.

MisterSF provides a short article about the mysterious death of Mary Lou Ward, Pat’s close friend.  In her book, The Intruders, Pat Montandon provides the full story of the curse and Mary Lou Ward’s mysterious death.

Like Prue, Pat wrote a weekly column (for the San Francisco Examiner).  She also conducted “rap sessions” at her society luncheons.  Maupin partially based Mary Ann on Pat as well.  Like Mary Ann, Pat had a daily show where she introduced classic movies.  Pat’s show was billed as Pat’s Prize Movies.  

There is an interesting coincidence between Pat and the characters in Tales:  During the time period of The Intruders, Pat had a fan club.  The co-founders were two teens named:  Mary Ann and Michael.

For more about Pat and this home…Haunted Bay…and…MisterSF.

In Tales of the City, the location of Prue’s townhouse is given simply as Nob Hill. 

One last comment regarding Pat and Prue:  Although Pat provided the inspiration for the character of Prue, the two are very different in character and achievement.  While Prue slowly became increasing desperate in her career and personal life, Pat went on to organize children from around the world to work for world peace during the Cold War.  She was eventually nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for her endeavors in this area.

1000 Lombard

Pat had a harrowing experience while living in the building.  She shares her story in her book The Intruders.  At the time, Pat had a daily program on KGO, the Bay Area’s ABC affiliate.  Pat frequently hosted parties in her spacious apartment in this building.  One evening she threw a theme party on astrology.  She inadvertently insulted a touchy, volatile tarot card reader at the party.  Indignant, he left but not before he placed a hex on Pat’s home.  “I lay a curse upon you and this house.  I do not forget, and I do not forgive.  Remember that!”  

One misfortune followed another for Pat while living in the home including a fire during one party at which Senator Edward Kennedy was a guest.  Pat eventually moved from this residence (up to the Summit’s Penthouse) and regained her life but not before there was one final tragedy.

Pat had moved up the Summit and Mary Lou Ward, a close friend of Pat’s, temporarily moved into Pat’s apartment in this building.  On the morning of June 21, 1969, Pat was awakened by a phone call.  There was a fire in Pat’s former apartment and 

1000 Lombard Street (northwest corner of Lombard and Leavenworth streets)

This is the former home of Pat Montandon – the person cited in at least two sources – and Pat herself – as Armistead Maupin’s inspiration for the Tales character, Prue Giroux.  She lived here on the second floor six room apartment in the mid-60s – prior to the time period of Tales.