I’ve always imagined San Francisco had a Wild West vibe before the 1906 earthquake and fire. The disaster seemed to infuse a strain of resilience into the people and the place, and it defiantly rebuilt itself into a booming metropolis after the disaster.
I recently came across some photos on the Bygonely website from the city’s pre-quake days, and I realized I was wrong about what the city was like before. It was already a big and bustling city.
This is a really cool shot approaching the city via the bay in 1905. You can see the Ferry building on the left.
From Bygonely
Look at the way Market Street was lit up in 1904!
From Bygonely
This is Pine Street in 1905. I’m curious about the construction of these buildings and whether what we see here is the front or the back of the homes.
From Bygonely
Powell Street, from O’Farrell Street, 1904-1905. I guess General Arthur cigars were popular!
From Bygonely
Nighttime view of Knights of Pythias decorations and Spreckels Building on Market Street, 1900
From Bygonely
old spirituals 
The street lighting is amazing when you stop to think that the first U.S. city to have street lights, on a very small scale, was Wabash, IN, in 1880. New York City had its first street lights two years later, 1882. That history puts the San Francisco lights in perspective and appreciation.
When I think of San Francisco I immediately think of Anthony Dominick Benedetto, a.k.a. Tony Bennett, and his signature song, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”
Tony Bennett Bronze Statue, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
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I think if you are here long enough you can’t help but love SF. For the last 15 years, the city spun out of control, and it grieved anyone who cared about the place to see that happen. Like you’d feel if you saw an old friend becoming an addict and slowly losing everything. SF has a long hard road back to its former magnificence but a lot of people want to see it happen. I sure hope it does!
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that second picture is wonderful!
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Isn’t it beautiful? I wonder if the lights were gaslight and that’s why they have halos. Or maybe a long exposure time.
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