Category: Uncategorized

Nick and Nora Charles, (William Powell and Myrna Loy) on Telegraph Hill behind Coit Tower in a publicity still from the movie ‘After the Thin Man’ from 1936. This was supposed to be their back yard in the movie! (Thumbnail image)

He may have taken a little poetic license here, Broadway as it begins to climb Russian Hill was never as romantic as this rainy Thomas Kinkade painting depicts. The Broadway Tunnel, and Senior Center built on the right since the time portrayed in Kinkade’s painting have cut down the view of the Bay Bridge, and made the view of Coit Tower impossible now. Also, Thomas Kinkade was only 54 when he died in 2012, and may have been guessing what this spot might have looked like in the past. Still, it’s a wonderful painting. (Thumbnail image)

The legendary “Hippie Hill” in Golden Gate Park in 1967. George Harrison in heart shaped sunglasses sat on this hill with his wife Pattie that year playing his guitar and singing songs. (Thumbnail image)

Montgomery Street from Telegraph Hill from the Cushman Collection of photos at the Indiana State University. The “little fire hydrant that could” appears to have crossed over to the other side of the street. (Thumbnail image)

Noe Valley at the top of Duncan Street in the 1920’s. I doubt if there was an automatic tranny in the roadster, so I wouldn’t want to be standing behind her! The vintage picture is from the Images of America series. (Thumbnail image)

Powell Street, as it climbs Nob Hill: (Thumbnail image)

The April 18th, 1906 Earthquake and Fire, and a dramatic picture looking East on Market Street toward 3rd. (Thumbnail image)

A quaking quartet: At left, Market Street near Sansome. Look at that mess! That top picture can really make you appreciate the Ferry Building; truly, San Francisco’s greatest survivor. Second from left, Dora Street, south of Market, “south of the slot” as they referred to area in 1906 because of the cable car tracks that ran along Market Street. These houses look like staggering drunks!. Below, forgotten little Dora Street today. Second from the right, Ellis and Powell and the Flood Building on “Black Wednesday” and Ellis and Powell and the Flood Building on “Black Friday”, the busy shopping day after Thanksgiving. At the right, those girls up on Russian Hill appear to be enjoying the disaster. Below, Downtown San Francisco from Russian Hill today; they still have a sky, you just can’t see it too much, anymore. (Thumbnail image)

A great picture of San Francisco citizens in Union Square watching the fire from the 1906 Earthquake approach them. Some of the people seem pretty relaxed! On the left is the Dewey Monument, much wider today. The steel frame of the unfinished Grace Building at 164 Geary Blvd. is in the middle. To the right of the Grace Building is the City of Paris Department Store at Stockton and Geary. These two buildings survived the Earthquake, although, the City of Paris building was demolished after the store closed in 1979. Another survivor of the earthquake is the domed Call Building peeking out at Union Square behind the City of Paris. The dome was removed in 1938 and the building is now called the Central Tower. It’s the white and brown striped building to the right of the Grace Building. (Thumbnail image)

Dazed citizens wander down California Street passed St Mary’s Church. That’s the Ferry Building with scaffolding around it to the right of Old St. Mary’s. (Thumbnail image)