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San Francisco in late-19th Century: Stunning Historical Photos Show Streets, Landmarks and Everyday Life

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San Francisco was inhabited by the Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. The United States conquered San Francisco on July 1846 when USS Portsmouth sailed into San Francisco Bay and sailors and marines went ashore and raised the US flag. Before the discovery of Gold in 1848 the population of San Francisco was only about 800. On January 24, 1848, the first gold was found at Sutter’s Fort, in the California foothills. Within a year the population reached 25,000. The city was a wild town with high crime rates, prostitution, and gambling. Six major fires broke out between 1849 and 1851. The gold boom was ended in 1853 and silver was discovered in 1859. Unlink gold the silver required expensive equipment to extract so a number of ‘silver barons’ were the main beneficiaries.

During the late 19th century, San Francisco thrived and developed. The first cable car service began in Clay Street in 1873. Construction of the Central Pacific Railroad brought a large influx of immigrants and laborers from China. San Francisco’s Chinatown became the largest Chinese settlement outside of Asia. The San Francisco Stock and Bond Exchange was founded in 1882.

Here below are some stunning historical photos that show San Francisco in the late-19th century.

#1 William Crocker residence on corner of California and Jones Streets, 1890s.

William Crocker residence on corner of California and Jones Streets, 1890s.

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#4 Cable cars and car barn of the California Street Railroad, looking west from the corner of Larkin Street, 1880s.

Cable cars and car barn of the California Street Railroad, looking west from the corner of Larkin Street, 1880s.

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#5 California Street from Montgomery Street, looking west, 1880s.

California Street from Montgomery Street, looking west, 1880s.

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#8 Looking up First Street towards Rincon Hill, 1890s.

Looking up First Street towards Rincon Hill, 1890s.

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#9 Looking up Powell Street, North from Union Square, 1890s.

Looking up Powell Street, North from Union Square, 1890s.

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#10 Market Street showing Chronicle Building, Crocker Building and the Palace Hotel, 1890s.

Market Street showing Chronicle Building, Crocker Building and the Palace Hotel, 1890s.

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#12 Northwest corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets, 1890s.

Northwest corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets, 1890s.

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#13 Pacific Bank of San Francisco, located at the corner of Pine and Sansome Streets, 1890s.

Pacific Bank of San Francisco, located at the corner of Pine and Sansome Streets, 1890s.

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#14 Powell Street and Sacramento Street from Nob Hill, 1890s.

Powell Street and Sacramento Street from Nob Hill, 1890s.

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#15 San Francisco street scenes, possibly California Street, 1890s.

San Francisco street scenes, possibly California Street, 1890s.

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#17 The House of Records at the old City Hall, 1890s.

The House of Records at the old City Hall, 1890s.

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#18 The Masonic temple at Post and Montgomery, 1880s.

The Masonic temple at Post and Montgomery, 1880s.

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#19 The new Ferry Building shortly after its completion, 1890s.

The new Ferry Building shortly after its completion, 1890s.

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#20 The old Masonic Temple at Post and Montgomery, 1890s.

The old Masonic Temple at Post and Montgomery, 1890s.

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#21 The old St. Mary’s church at Dupont (Grant) and California Street, 1890s.

The old St. Mary's church at Dupont (Grant) and California Street, 1890s.

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#22 The San Francisco Stock Exchange and the Real Estate Associates’ Building, corner of Montgomery and Pine, 1890s.

The San Francisco Stock Exchange and the Real Estate Associates' Building, corner of Montgomery and Pine, 1890s.

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#23 Trinity Church at Powell and Post Streets, 1890s.

Trinity Church at Powell and Post Streets, 1890s.

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#24 Waverly Place (originally Pike Street) in Chinatown, 1890s.

Waverly Place (originally Pike Street) in Chinatown, 1890s.

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#29 Former Post Office, the rally of the ‘Law and Order’ Party

Former Post Office, the rally of the 'Law and Order' Party

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#35 North side of Montgomery Street, from California to Sacramento

North side of Montgomery Street, from California to Sacramento

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#37 St. Francis’ Hook and Ladder No. 1; Knickerbocker Engine House No. 5

St. Francis' Hook and Ladder No. 1; Knickerbocker Engine House No. 5

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#38 Telegraph Hill, taken from corner of Stockton and Sacramento streets

Telegraph Hill, taken from corner of Stockton and Sacramento streets

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#43 View from Kearny street – in the foreground the Orphans’ Asylum

View from Kearny street - in the foreground the Orphans' Asylum

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#48 View of the City from Stockton street, containing the portions between Washington and Sacramento streets

View of the City from Stockton street, containing the portions between Washington and Sacramento streets

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#49 View of the west side of Montgomery Street, from Washington to Pacific

View of the west side of Montgomery Street, from Washington to Pacific

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#52 View over the City, containing the portions between California and Bush Streets

View over the City, containing the portions between California and Bush Streets

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#55 Market Street in San Francisco, 1898. The largest here is the Call Building. Street shows trolley cars, horses and carriages.

Market Street in San Francisco, 1898. The largest here is the Call Building. Street shows trolley cars, horses and carriages.

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#56 Market Street at Third, looking east, Palace Hotel on the right, 1890s.

Market Street at Third, looking east, Palace Hotel on the right, 1890s.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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4 Comments

  1. The last one says it’s Powell, looking north from Union Square. The peak on Powell is at California, and we can count the intersections: Post (where the camera is), Sutter, Bush, Pine, and then the last we can see is California.

    And the relative grades on Powell between each intersection look much as today’s.

    It can’t possibly be the same tree, but the trees today on the west side of Powell between Sutter and Bush have the same tilt toward the street as the tree in the 1890s photo.

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