Robinson (Judith) Interviews with Ed Moose, Mary Etta Moose, and Sam Deitch, 1998-2002,

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Summary

Title:
Judith Robinson Interviews with Ed Moose, Mary Etta Moose, and Sam Deitch,
Dates:
1998-2002,
Creators:
Robinson, Judith, 1949-, Deitch, Sam., Moose, Ed., and Moose, Mary Etta.
Extent:
1 manuscripts box (.2 cubic feet)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Judith Robinson Interviews with Ed Moose, Mary Etta Moose, and Sam Deitch (SFH 763), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Interviews and transcripts of interviews with Ed Moose and Sam Deitch, owners of the Washington Square Bar & Grill and Moose's restaurants. Also includes the transcript of an interview with the third owner, Ed's wife, Mary Etta Moose. These were conducted in 1998 for an article in St. Louis magazine. Includes two versions of articles on the trio written by Robinson in 2002, and another piece published in the (online) St. Louis Beacon in 2010. A few photos are included.

Biographical / historical:

Judith Robinson, also known as Mary Judith Robinson, has been a journalist, legislative aide in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, editorial writer for the San Francisco Examiner, and author. Her published works include "You're in Your Mother's Arms," The Life and Legacy of Congressman Phil Burton; The Hearsts, An American Dynasty; Gold Rush Bishop: William Ingraham Kip, First Episcopal Bishop of California and His Family; Alan Cranston, Senator from California: Making a "Dent in the World;" and From Gold Rush to Milennium: 150 Years of the Episcopal Diocese of California, 1849-2000. She also conducted oral histories for the Telegraph Hill Dwellers Oral History Project.

Edward Moose was a native of St. Louis, MO, where he attended college and graduate school, and had a varied career including as a sports reporter for the Sports-Dispatch and as a reporter for the Associated Press, along with working for the Armed Special Forces in Germany. His future wife, Mary Etta Prest, originally of Baton Rouge, LA, was working for the developers of the St. Louis Gaslight Square entertainment district after college when the two met. Sam Deitch came to St. Louis from New York City and became co-owner of the Golden Eagle Bar where he met Ed Moose.

Ed moved to San Francisco in 1961. Mary Etta joined him and the two married in 1964 and made their home in the North Beach district. Deitch followed the Mooses to San Francisco in 1966. The three opened the Washington Square Bar & Grill in North Beach in 1973, which became an iconic tavern with live jazz, hosting notables including political figures. Mary Etta co-wrote a cookbook, The Flavor of North Beach. They sold the "Washbag" (a term coined by columnist Herb Caen) in 1989. A couple of years later, Ed and Mary Etta and financial partner Deitch opened Moose's, steps away in the same neighborhood, also with live jazz and also popular. The Mooses operated it until 2005. Deitch died in 2002. Ed Moose died in 2010. Mary Etta Moose died in 2023.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Judith Robinson on July 29, 2024.
Processing information:

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki.

Physical / technical requirements:

Includes 3 audiocassettes.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Prepared by Tami J. Suzuki.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-08-11 00:32:51 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Copyright has been transferred to the San Francisco Public Library. Permission for publication is given as the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Judith Robinson Interviews with Ed Moose, Mary Etta Moose, and Sam Deitch (SFH 763), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website