The Montgomery Block one month after the Earthquake and Fire of 1906.

The Bank Exchange sits behind locked iron doors at the corner. A.P. Giannini's Bank of Italy, which was to change its name to the Bank of America and eventually become the world's largest, then occupied offices to the right.

The following comes to us from the Transamerica Corporation and the California Historical Society, from a booklet originally entitled
"Secrets of Pisco Punch Revealed: Being a true account of the recovery of San Francisco's Long Lost Favorite of Favorites," by William Bronson.

In the post Gold Rush days, a bar was a very important place. 

And the Bank Exchange was one of the most important drinking  establishments in San Francisco. Located in the Montgomery and Washington Streets corner of the famed Montgomery Block, the Bank Exchange was the place leading bankers met to transact business in the absence of an official stock exchange. Its proximity to the waterfront attracted the leaders of commerce, and from the first day the Bank Exchange’s swinging doors opened in 1853, the leading sea captains, miners, lawyers and politicians came to discuss affairs of the day, while partaking of liquid refreshments. 

No history of the social life of San Francisco would be complete without mention of the Bank Exchange, a barroom that opened in 1854, survived the Earthquake and Fire of 1906, and continued to thrive with everwidening fame until its doors were closed forever by Prohibition. 

The principal foundation for its renown was Pisco Punch, a mixture  which, it was said, went down like nectar and came back with the kick of a Missouri mule. Another description is credited to Oliver Perry Stidger who for many years managed the affairs of the Montgomery Block, that fabled building in which the Bank Exchange was located. He likened Pisco Punch to the scimitar of Harroun whose edge was so fine that after a slash a man walked on unaware that his head had been severed from his body until his knees gave way and he fell to the ground dead. 

Associated Press

  LONDON - A 22-year-old man suffered internal injuries after lighting a small firecracker he had inserted into his buttocks, paramedics said Thursday.

The incident took place Sunday, when Britain celebrated Bonfire Night, traditionally marked with fireworks to celebrate the Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament in the 17th century.

The man suffered burns and other unspecified internal injuries in the incident in Sunderland, 275 miles north of London.

Well, testing this bloggy thingy. I really want to blog. Blog in a big way. Big time blogger.

Bloggin bloggin bloggin my life awaaaaayyyyy

oh yeah ... let's look at some cute blogging bloggers ... Bloggy McBlogalot ... wait should I feed the cat first? Is it mandatory put up a picture of your cat? I think so. Or a dog. Or a pot-bellied pig. How about a video? How do I put a video of my cat in here? I'm really into blogging.

Thought I'd mention my new friend discovery Bloggy McBlogalot.

Her name is Mandy. She's very cute. And truly funny. A stand-up comedienne. She takes interesting photos. She writes well. Few people in recent memory make me laugh out loud like she does. But she does not know Freddie. However, I am sure she. being a luscious blogging blogger, will appreciate the mandatory cat/dog/pig picture/video posting here.

She answers these questions:

1) Who are you? --> A writer and comedian. 2) Why is this called Bloggy McBlogalot? --> Because Chuckly McLaffabunch was taken.

Okay, now I have to learn how to put up photos with this bloggy thing entry apparatus. I think blogging is going to be big. Here we go.

Her caption:

My boyfriend likes to party.