-- All photos courtesy of the San Francisco Public Library
SoMa before time... this photo was taken in 1856 when the city of SF was really just getting started. The vantage point is 2nd & Folsom looking north. Russian Hill (right) and Nob Hill (left) are in the background. This was the enclave of homes around the port and city that was originally called Yerba Buena. While Nob Hill, Russian Hill and the rest of the downtown core were also developing, the only other significant developments in the SF area at this time were the Presidio military base and Mission Dolores. In fact, a scant 7 years earlier, prior to the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, the population of San Francisco was 2,000. By the time this photo was taken, the population was well over 50,000.
1984
Carrozzi Burgers on 18th Street, 1985.
Billboard Cafe on Folsom Street, 1985
Bay Brick Inn at 1190 Folsom Street, 1985.
Buildings on Market Street scheduled to be demolished to make way for the Yerba Buena Center redevelopment project. September, 1971.
Hong Kong Wigs Company on Market, scheduled to be demolished to make way for the Yerba Buena Center redevelopment, 1971.
Construction at Moscone Convention Center in 1980. This $120 million project is for a 650,000 square foot facility that will boast the world's largest column-free exhibition hall. The 16 massive , 275-foot arches are what make this possible.
