23 Powerful Photographs of Vintage San Francisco

May 2024 · 2 minute read

San Francisco is best known for the lazy fog that drapes its steep, geometric hills. The city, which was first founded in June 1776, is home to a number of beloved tourist attractions and landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. In this gallery of vintage San Francisco photographs, we uncover how the city has changed over the past century. Now a bustling international hub and the headquarters of various large banks and corporations, San Francisco continues to adapt and grow.

Vintage San Francisco San Francisco Earthquake 1906 The photo shows the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake that caused damage to much of San Francisco. Source: Vintage Everyday San Francisco Fire 1906 Fires continue to burn in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Source: Kammer San Francisco Floral 1913 Vintage San Francisco Trolley Construction on Golden Gate Bridge 1935 Golden Gate Bridge Construction Vintage San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Opening Day People walk across the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening day, May 27th, 1937. Source: Vintage San Francisco John Gutmann San Francisco Black and White San Francisco Street Sweepers Vintage San Francisco SRO in San Francisco Market Street San Francisco 1950 A glimpse at San Francisco’s Grant Street in Chinatown. Source: SFGate 1953 Vintage San Francisco Young boys wait to ride the Ridee-O ride at Playland-at-the-Beach in Golden Gate Park in 1953. Source: Huffington Post Vintage Alcatraz Prison San Francisco 1960 Easter Legendary baseball star Willie Mays gets his 3,000th career hit in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1970. Source: KTVU Painted Ladies San Francisco These Victorian style homes, called the “Painted Ladies,” have been featured in a number of films. They are located directly across from Alamo Square Park in Hayes Valley. Source: Debs Travels Vintage San Francisco 1970s Folks relax at a San Francisco park in the 1970s. Source: Marc Rochkind Peace Rally San Francisco A 1970s peace rally takes place in San Francisco. Source: Shorpy GLBT Vintage San Francisco People congregate at the Castro Street Fair, an LGBT street festival in the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco. Source: LGBT Historical Society Gay Rights Movement San Francisco Vintage San Francisco Arcade Boys play a game at an arcade in San Francisco. Source: SF Gate

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