The early human settlement in San Francisco dates back to 3000 BC when members of the Yelamu tribe lived here. San Francisco was also inhibited by Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. They lived by hunting animals, fishing and collecting nuts and fruits. In 1846 the USA annexed with California. At that time, San Francisco only had a population of about 800.
In 1848, the first gold was found at Sutter’s Fort, in the California foothills. Thousands of gold seekers from every corner of the globe poured into California, and within months, San Francisco became the central port and depot of the frenzied Gold Rush. During the Civil War, San Francisco planned to employ the USS Camanche to defend the West Coast; however, the ship sank during a heavy storm in the city’s port before it ever saw actions.
Have a look at these stunning colorized photos that show what San Francisco looked like in the 19th century.
