When I was growing up in San Francisco, my father (Rex Keller) frequently took me out to Playland at the beach. I was probably between 8 and 12.

At the entrance to the Fun House was a very scary bigger than life sized animatronic creature called Laughing Sal. She gave kids nightmares for years. I can still hear her laugh. The Fun House consisted of huge spinning barrels that you needed to squeeze through , slides, a house of mirrors, and a crazed guy up in the booth overseeing it who would blow cold air up your legs through holes placed throughout the building in the floor.

Playland is long gone now, but still elicits a lot of memories. Dad and I went many times to have lunch at the Hot House. We always sat at the counter and I’d always have enchiladas and he always ordered a bowl of menudo. One taste of that was enough for me, but those were some great enchiladas! In the photo you can see in the upper right the ‘ITs It’ logo, so of course we went next door for dessert. Happy memories spent with my Dad.

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One response to “The Hot House”

  1. kari keller Avatar
    kari keller

    What a great story, Kathleen, and such a wonderful memory! Even though I grew up in S.F., I never had the experience of going to Playland, but I remember Larry telling me about the fun times he had! What a crazy place that was! Thank you SO much for sharing!💖

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