California
State Pride|History

Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In San Francisco And They’re Incredible

Explore eight fascinating historical photos of San Francisco from the mid-1800s to early 1900s.

Updated Jun 17, 2024

Written by 

Julian Garr

San Francisco has a short and interesting history filled with dramatic events and intrigue. If you're curious about seeing our beautiful city in the beginning then keep reading. Take a look at these historical photos that will bring you to a different time and period in California. Below are just eight of the oldest photos of San Francisco that will fascinate you.

1. Yerba Buena Cove, 1850 - This is a Gold Rush era photo that shows San Francisco harbor at Yerba Buena Cove in 1850 or 1851. You can see Yerba Buena Island and Berkeley Hills in the background.

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Wikipedia

2. Bella Union, 1850 - This is the Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco. This picture dates from 1850. The Bella Union existed until the great fire of 1906.

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CharmaineZoe's Marvelous Melange/Flickr

3. Portsmouth Square, 1851 - Another Gold Rush gem, this is Portsmouth Square, San Francisco. It is dated around 1851.

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WIkipedia

4. San Francisco Park, 1888 - The location could be Alta Plaza Park, which was established in 1888. The location of the photo is not listed.

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Boston Public Library/Flickr

5. Ferry Building, 1906 - The monumental and historic Ferry Building after the great earthquake of 1906.

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Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

6. San Francisco, 1906 - One of the most famous early photos of San Francisco is from April 18. 1906, the day of the earthquake. This photo is quite powerful.

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Arnold Genthe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

7. Downtown San Francisco, 1906 - Taken after the earthquake of 1906. These are damaged houses on Howard Street and the area of Post and Grant Avenue, San Francisco.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

8. Golden Gate Park, early 1900s - This is a track cycling race at the Polo Fields from Golden Gate Park.

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American Cyclery Collection, San Francisco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What do you think of these old photos of San Francisco? Some of the earliest photos of San Fransisco are certainly intriguing. We are particularly intrigued by the San Fransisco 1800s photos. Let us know your opinion.

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Also, if you're interested in history, check out The Oldest Hotel In San Francisco Is Also The Most Haunted. You can also check out our collection of Northern California articles.

If you are like us and love adventure, we recommend visiting these historical sites and visiting Viator for even more exploration ideas.

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State Pride|History

Most People Don’t Know About These Strange Ruins Hiding Near San Francisco

Discover the history and current state of the Bayshore Roundhouse ruins near San Francisco.

Published Jan 18, 2018

Written by 

Julian Garr

Everyone knows about the Sutro Baths in San Francisco as they have become tourist attractions. But, there are other ruins very close to San Francisco that mainly go unnoticed. If you want to learn more about San Francisco Bay Area history then keep reading to discover more about the past and present. Go beyond Sutro Baths and dive into Bay Area history to learn about these ruins.

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The Bayshore Roundhouse at one time included a huge freight yard, shop and store buildings, 25 outbound tracks, 39 inbound tracks and a hospital for the 3,000 employees.

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Drewj946/Flickr

The ruins of the roundhouse are next to the railroad switchyard south of San Francisco in Brisbane.

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Google Maps

The Bayshore Roundhouse was built between 1907 and 1910 by the Southern Pacific Railroad.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

The Bayshore roundhouse was already obsolete by 1958, but used in other ways for storage purposes for some years.

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Orin Zebrest/Flickr

Eventually after years of decreasing usage, the roundhouse was abandoned, closing fully in October 25th, 1982. The decay started at the roundhouse quickly.

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Shawn Clover/Flickr

The site today is mostly enclosed with barbed wire fencing because of the decay and rot left behind. However, there are points that trespassers and all manner of people have scaled the property. We recommend you don't visit for safety concerns.

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Shawn Clover/Flickr

A fire started on one side of the Roundhouse in 2001 leaving the Flat Side of the roundhouse. The site still sits in ruins today.

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Orin Zebest/Flickr

Vandals and street artists have spray painted and covered a lot of the remaining structures that remain standing at the Roundhouse.

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Shawn Clover/Flickr

This aerial picture show what is remaining of the Roundhouse. You can make out the shape of the roundhouse, and what it used to be in the past.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

Have you heard of the Bayshore Roundhouse? Let us know. Share your opinions. If you are curious about arcane city history then learn more about These 10 Staggering Historical Photos Of Golden Gate Park.

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State Pride|History

How This One Place In San Francisco Quietly Became The Most Underrated Neighborhood In California

Presidio Park in San Francisco offers historic significance, scenic views, and various outdoor activities, making it a unique and overlooked attraction.

Published Jan 16, 2018

Written by 

Julian Garr

One of the most overlooked and least touristy places in San Francisco is also one of the most historic and grand attractions. Presidio Park is often overlooked for more other nearby attractions, but take the time to come by and see this marvelous park. Check out this grand park and explore the many attractions often overlooked.

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The Presidio Park of San Francisco is a beautiful enclave in the middle of the city with hiking, greenery, public art, camping, and more.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

The Presidio was a former U.S. Army military fort on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This park has wooded areas, hills, and stunning vistas overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the ocean.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

Get an introduction and education on the Presidio from the William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor Center.

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Creative Commons/Wikipedia

The Presidio Visitor Center is a central area within the park. Get information at the center about the 1,500-acre park in the heart of San Francisco.

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National Park Service Presidio

Make your visit special and see Inspiration Point Overlook. You can see from the Inspiration Point overlooking the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.

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Susie D/Foursquare

There is some public art in the Presidio by Andy Goldsworthy that is worthwhile to check out. This spire is part of an art installment in the Presidio located near Inspiration Point.

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Calurbanist/Flickr

Take a romantic stroll on this hike in the park located near the Presidio Blvd entrance by Pacific Blvd. Lover's Lane starts at the wood line art piece and goes nearby beautiful trees and landscaped areas of the park.

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Seiko k/Foursquare

You can only camp one place in San Francisco and that is Rob Hill in the Presidio. The camp grounds are four wooded acres above Baker Beach at the Presidio's highest point.

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Matt C/Foursquare

If you prefer, you can visit the whole park by using the PresidiGo Shuttle. The routes feature Golden Gate Bridge views, a part of the forest and historic Fort Scott, Inspiration Point and more.

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Presidio Park Site

Visit the Presidio in San Francisco and start your journey by going to the visitor center: 210 Lincoln Blvd, San Francisco, 94129 Check out the Presidio Park site for more information.

Have you been to the Presidio? Let us know. Share your opinions. If you are curious about local city history, then check out 10 Little Known Haunted Places Around San Francisco Exist.

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