Oldest Historical Images of San Francisco Pre-1906 Earthquake, Bay Area, Ohlone, Architecture, Reset

[@margarethinton3840]

My heartfelt thanks for these photos. My family (on both sides) arrived in California in 1850 and 1860. My mother's mother arrived in San Francisco in 1902 from London (traveling alone). She was married a month before the earthquake in 1906. Mother was born 1909 and moved into her first home on Twin Peaks built by my grandfather. I was born in 1932 and lived in my grandparent's home for some years before moving to Sonoma County shortly after the beginning of World War II. I recognized many of the building from photos my grandparents had when I was a child. This was a city I loved as a child.

[@butchmitch731]

❤

[@judymerritt9458]

My grandfather was in the San Francisco earthquake and fire. He was in the army at Fort Baker when the earthquake struck and assisted in search and rescue operations as well as dynamiting structures to prevent the spread of the fire. He was 21 years old at the time and wrote a short account of his experiences in a short book about his early life. He kept a photo of the devastated city that was in the San Francisco Examiner. His name was Frank S. Merritt.

[@00leaveralone]

I’m 1906 your grandpa was 21?

[@G-ra-ha-m]

'dynamiting structures to prevent the spread of the fire', there's an interesting video about this, and the naval bombardment. Quite why stone buildings would burn, is another mystery!

[@jimmydee1130]

@@00leaveralone She must be well into her 80s herself

[@windhammer1237]

​@@jimmydee1130 That depends on how old her grandfather was when her father was born.

[@samuelmarberry4761]

​@@00leaveralone I'm only 41 and my grandpa was born in 1903, the youngest of 11 children..... his grandpa being 21 in 1906 is very possible and probable, I had great uncle's that were in there mid 20s when my grandpa was born in 1903.....

[@dougmoore5209]

Growing up in the Bay Area San Francisco was the enchanting city of my youth. The City now is often criticized for its homeless population. What folks don’t understand is San Francisco has always embraced everyone with open arms. The city is still one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in the country. Thank you for sharing such an incredible collection of images.

[@irenehoskowitz]

I moved to SF in 1987, and was so overwhelmed with "deja vu" that I thought I had lived there in another lifetime! Some of these photos reminded me of this feeling, since I had had dreams as a child about the earthquake and the aftermath. I walked all over the city when I first moved there, and was astounded by the familiarity, and the way I was predicting what was around the corner as I walked. It is an amazing city. But the fact that the sacred shell mounds were destroyed is a tragedy. I feel we must learn from our past, and appreciate the incredible beauty, and wonder of all of our histories, whether we are native or immigrants. We should be sharing our successes and learning from our failures! Thanks to the artists who put this together.

[@Inziagold]

I had a similar experience when I came to Austin Tx in 2017 . I remembered living the same moment up to 3 times with the same people, although some of them I had just met. I was able to predict the next moment, so would attempt to change it. I learned I can only change the moment if the end result was caused by me.

[@roadtrip2943]

Your comment really hit a theme I've felt ever since visiting in 1971 and most years after until moving there myself in 1987 as well. The haunting feeling of passing from one era to another when travelling around town. Seeing the trolley tracks from mid 1800s , a real eye opener. This was an old town since much earlier than 1849

[@johnnysunrocket8618]

Oh! Please stop it Tell it to your Shrink 😅

[@GaZflow]

when I first started watching this video, one of the buildings reminded me of a dream I had worst dream I’ve ever ever had. I was stuck in like a loop and I know how but I had travelled time because I’ve actually was riding on old trolly and a modern bus I got off of it and I just couldn’t get out of whatever the loop was. I knew I was dreaming so I basically ended up trying to end my life in the dream I started diving on the concrete to break my neck as I knew, I would wake up as you usually do from falling or coming close to a death type situation. The buildings ready to start. I was like who I’ve been there before, and then realized where I was recognizing the scenery from. Definitely never been to San Francisco so I don’t know if it’s a past thing or there was buildings like that all over this continent, and I was somewhere similar in a past life

[@dannickmorissette5205]

When I watch your videos, each time I mentally feel like I am transported to another world, another time in which I would like so much to live. Your choice of music is judicious for subject and that you present to us, I especially like how you go about presenting us your videos and your ideas. You allow you to travel at low blow every time. A short narrative for the introduction makes us want to watch your video, then your music blends perfectly the presents of your photos and images of the past. The way you make the transition between each of your images is impeccable sometimes you arrive from a photo that at first seems banal and have nothing special, but the fact of zooming gradually during the transition changes everything p, until giving it a living effect. Thank you for your work, the time and energy you put into it. Please keep doing it as long as you can, it's a work of genius, artist and you have an incredible and unique talent. You help us to evolve in this quest for truth and awareness.

[@lauraa2877]

It struck me how weathered some of the original buildings looked, like they had been there for many years.

[@spactick]

I was born in San Francisco. My parents, grand parents and great grand parents were born here as well. What I miss most of all about the old city was the smells, the odors, fragrances of Hills Bros. Coffee down on the waterfront. The smell of chocolate at Ghirardelli's factory at Aquatic Park. The smell of grease on the old diesel buses, and the smell of the leather sears on those old buses. They say odors bring back memories like nothing else, and I think they're right

[@billramsey2337]

With a lot of hard work and investigative study we can learn a lot about history we would have never known. Thank You!

[@FRESHboosters]

Agreed, my friend

[@jaydee45]

An amazing retrospective, thank you! We moved to The City in 1959 when I was 9. Lived on the Presidio and hung out at Baker’s Beach. The sound of the fog horns lulled me sleep each night. When you visit remember it’s a concentrated walkable city. So sorry you didn’t visit 30 years ago or longer because of rampant homelessness and the loss of cultural diversity. Btw, in 1960 when one drove “down the Peninsula “ to San Jose one saw mostly orchards along the way. Blessings to you Jarid. ✌️

[@luislaplume8261]

Barbara Eden also wrote about the foghorns when her parents took her with them by Ferry after they finished visiting her parents friends across the bay back to San Francisco in the evening in her autobiography.

[@3p.vision544]

I was born at S.F general yet i was raised in Hayward. I used to visit my father when he lived in the inner Sunset on the weekends. I vividly remember those foghorns throughout the night. They were distant and haunting in the silence of night, yet something that i found contentment in. I also remember hearing the train horns blowing and the rumble of the cars as they rolled through on their tracks. These things, the Sutro Bath ruins and the fog as it rolled in off of the hillside.. All still very nostalgic for me.. and this in spite of having no desire or intentions to return the city where i was born in the shape it is in today.. Its a disgrace to those immigrants who came and built the city

[@davidturner4824]

It truly was a beautiful city before the earthquake. I have never seen any of these photographs before. Mostly all we ever get to see of old San Francisco was Market Street before and after.

[@nancyhamer949]

I grew up in SF in the 1950s, 60s. Thank you for this informative and revealing history and the wonderful photos.

[@sheilad83]

#Jarrod, as I'm watching this video, the TV in my house is playing "Death Valley Days" a Western usually about CA. In the 1800's. It makes me sick to see the way Hollyweird shows California back then. Like a cabin or hut spread out 100's of miles in between. We know better right! I love your content BC I'm constantly trying to show my hubs the LIES we've been told, and until you're videos he just wouldn't listen. I've got his attention now thanks to you! Much love and respect from Alabama!!

[@billbarnett3095]

Incredible photos, I had no idea of the the cities architecture before 1906, it was even more beautiful then now,I can see why it drew so many to its shore. Thank you for this exhibit. And educating us in history. Bill B.

[@Troooosdale]

I live in SF. It still has many glorious buildings. I've been doing alot of exploring lately and there is a lot of strange stuff going on--several areas with melted red brick one being adjacent to the Sutro baths and the Cliff house. I wonder why outer SF and down the coast was fairly barren until they did a massive tree planting with mostly blue gum eucalyptus and Monterey pine. SF has 5 golf courses--thats alot for 35 square miles. Btw there were 3 massive fires before 1906. I live in the southern part where it was mostly inhabited by Irish and Italian immigrants during the late 1800s to mid 1900s. There is a high school that they built out here for the poor Italian kids in 1927 called Balboa high school that is absolutely massive and gorgeous--likely one of the most impressive high schools on the west coast. It has mud flood windows and facades and a lot of very unnecessary decorations, massive archways, and a huge theater which stands at least 80 feet tall. Just kind of a weird thing to build out in what was a very rural part of SF for a bunch of poor immigrants. Great video!!

[@2degucitas]

The Mission district? Mud flood windows?

[@Troooosdale]

@@2degucitas excelsior, yes

[@susangrande8142]

I think my father graduated from Balboa high school. Would have been 1950. His family were poor Russian immigrants; he grew up on Potrero hill. I found in my mother’s stuff when she died, a small ceramic jar that survived the 1906 earthquake and fires, and a newspaper in German, from San Francisco, from later in 1906, that described the devastation. It had been sent to my great-grandfather in Germany, and they emigrated to San Francisco in about 1908.

[@ycrgorski]

Mission High School is another example

[@susangrande8142]

@@ycrgorski I think my mother graduated from Mission High School. Class of 1953.

[@vincentrioux2113]

I was born and raised in the city, too. Great collection of photographs. San Francisco is remarkable for its ability to be reimagined, and the recirculating of people moving to and leaving the city. I hope you get to visit soon.

[@reesbritton6623]

The Cliff house actually survived the earthquake and burned down the next year (1907). SF is an amazing city! I would have loved to have seen it before 1906… thanks for sharing:)

[@glendabarton45barton48]

Thank you. I'm a native California, born in Oakland but lived in San Francisco for decades Love the City still in spite of it's problems. The most unique exciting beautiful city in America.

[@violetdreams1799]

wonderful collection of photos showing the architectural styles that were popular around the world at that time

[@timothydillow3160]

If you get it you get it, if you don't you weren't supposed to. Once again Jarid, jaw-dropping images.

[@lostoffgrid8927]

I am a native & grew up in the bay area, Redwood City & San Jose. I live in LA area now. As we fight to save our state remembering how beautiful she was is a great inspiration. I do think that the value of craftsmanship and a wild west no building regulations attitude probably allowed those buildings to be part of an ego driven competition by developers there during the boom days of the gold rush. I remember going to the Cliff house museum and seeing Tom Thumb's wedding outfits for him and his wife when I was a kid in the 50's. I love your channel. Great pictures, I just want to step into the screen and ride the trolly. I hear Tony Bennett singing 'I left my heart in San Francisco 💔

[@allahandro8367]

Don’t tell me tartaria, I find most tartaria clowns don’t even realize what androvono culture is or what a indo European kurgan is,

[@Airriel333]

Beautiful I'm from Chicago originally and came to Northern California in 1970... when we landed and I saw the beautiful hillsides and the peninsula I was so enamored. We rented a car as our belongings had not arrived YET or cars and ehikeyhe was in business meetings I drove to the City and up the hills and key locations and then across the GOLDEN Gate bridge myself San Francisco is steeped in history 49 er time and so MUCH more. It's beyond sad what's been happening to this beautiful City in 7 hills but THIS will pass, It will refurnish eventually. Thank you for sharing your visuals of San Francisco Warmly writing on Roshandra

[@jude4381]

Thank you! What a treat to see the city before the earthquake. My g. grandparents moved there sometime in the late 1870's, they were merchants. I enjoyed seeing the city as they must have seen it. They died before the quake, but my Uncles lived through it and are on the list of survivors, yes, I'm into genealogy. Thanks so much.

[@mytragin.3.6.9.9]

I love San Fran so much. California in general -- when I’m thinking about it, or see something or hear music made in California, it feels like i‘am Back home. Tears running from my eyes by writing that. I have a location in my mind what it there since I can remember being interested in California, in San Fran-- in the south of the city, and a vision of I cute, tiny orange house -- and they do not left my mind. I was there- 100 procent. I love California so much. I don‘t know when and how exactly, jet, but: I was there. And my feelings about that region are very satisfying and nourishing. Thanks for giving my such a huge present. They can destroy the Old World, but they cannot destroy the deepest DNA strings of our self where the Old World is saved-- deep deep down there. All of that here, is like Food to me. All of that Tears tell me that i‘am on the Path to get my forgotten Memories back. HALLELUJA!

[@paybien]

I often ruminate about how much photographic treasure is hidden away in "Personal Storage" facilities across the Country and abroad.

[@craykanne]

My mother's family were SF pioneers This video is awesome Thank you!

[@rripley62]

Jared, thanks for this amazing video. I am a native bay area guy (grew up in Napa Valley) and even after extensive travel to other parts of the country and world - can't imagine living anywhere else. I feel very fortunate that my parents moved me here from Michigan when I was just 6 months old! What I really enjoyed about this video were all the pics I had never seen before and especially seeing my beloved SF before the earthquake! It was like a completely different city - and I really loved the vibe of it. Anyway, thanks again and keep up the great work - and come visit soon! You will be blown away - it's an amazing city and area!

[@bruhmoment465]

Agreed man. The Bay Area is such a special place.

[@MarinCipollina]

I would have loved to have explored SF in 1898 or so.. Looks like a different world entirely..

[@michaelwoehl8822]

Quite the place. A fantasy of architecture. Nice job overall.

[@RealmsofPixelation]

This and NASS are my two favorite American history channels. These pictures and videos are sort of like traveling back in time. Every single individual in every one of these pictures are long gone. Makes you realize you better get out and enjoy the world while you can.

[@michellepena963]

I grew up in the Bay Area and never knew of the shell mounds in San Francisco. Thank you for sharing that with us! Loved your video!!

[@weasiesworks]

Born in SF in 1948 and my grandmother in 1867 (but my mom was born in Napa). Love to see old clips! Thanks for sharing.

[@philinarae1423]

I live in San Francisco and these Pictures are Absolutely Wonderful! Best Collection I have ever seen. The Whole Package- tempo,timing and Music put together beautifully. Well Done!!

[@briankelly85]

This was such a grand city!

[@jaxsutro4880]

“ was, “ is sadly the key word….The City is no more…💔💔💔

[@christopherriddle]

35-year resident; first I've seen of the shell mounds of SF, only knew of Emeryville's. Great compilation. Some of the buildings still stand: see Old Saint Mary's, the Mint, etc.

[@thomasmartinez690]

I moved to SF in 1973 at 25 years old to find work and live my life without prejudice and freedom, lived there for 40 years, left in 2013 to Sacramento to retire and be closer to loved ones. I consider SF my real home since I lived there the longest. Born in Santa Fe, NM and moved to California in 1964 at 16 years young. 58 years in Calif. 40 years in my beloved city of San Francisco. I hope you all visit this great City of SF by the Bay, you'll be mesmorized and fascinated how it was transformed to a unique place. The pictures and all the fascinating history covered here takes me back walking through some of those streets mentioned here. I still consider SF my home, I miss it much, the weather, the people, my friends and all its glory.

[@Maria-u3p4s]

Jarid, I thoroughly enjoyed your images of San Francisco prior to the earthquake and after the quake. The images are magnificent to say the least. I was raised in San Francisco and never knew the history of the city prior to the earthquake. Thanks for letting me see what a beautiful city San Francisco was and is.

[@markanthony5897]

People are happy to forget and those forgotten are grateful for historians like yourself. San Francisco's giant past is hinted at and for obvious reasons will not be forgotten. When new meets old there is an inherent risk of exclusion, by both parties toward each other. A risk that bare a wicked backlash Mind you, we're still here.

[@johnvarnado5676]

A beautiful homage to the City I love. St.Marys in Chinatown looks the same as does Sts Peter and Paul. Most of Market st. And the band shell in Golden Gate park. Lotta's fountain.... It is indeed a magical city.

[@francisbusa1074]

My mom was born in 1926, and she used to say that when she was about 3 years old she would climb up on the stage at the G.G.P. bandshell while her father conducted his band concerts.

[@marklawrence6068]

I was born here in San Francisco to me these pictures show what I have been saying for a while now. There were Giants here. The evidence is overwhelming!! You can see it in some of the massive doorways still left and the architecture. The earthquake was intentionally created and was obviously aided by DEW weapons in the sky. It was a controlled demolition and looks much like the covered up DEW fires we see now in California such as paradise etc... the local baseball team is not called the San Francisco Giants by accident. We are being lied too! There is even a Chanel called San Francisco truth that shows San Francisco is a giant. Think about this- There is no way the buildings and infrastructure shown in your photos were built in a 30 year time span 1850 gold rush to 1880’s in your pics absolutely no way with hand tools and no electricity as well in 30 years???? I don’t think so!!! Anyway great video!

[@chester_re]

Always wondered why the team was called the GIANTS?

[@kennixox262]

I think that you have been reading far too many comic books.

[@usecommonsentz3764]

Don’t know this video is real, but Biltmore castle in NC was built in only 4 years in the 1800s. They were faster than you think.

[@tomlee6656]

@@kennixox262 You are an illogical clown.

[@ivanmcclure8328]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tedwatson9929]

Ohlone .... OH - LOAN - EE Super cool video! Keep making them!

[@stevenconte4714]

It's bad enough that this city , like all too many other's, was completely destroyed, but why the whitewash you know? Also the worlds fair grounds of San Francisco. 1,500 buildings built, not just buildings, places a lot of them that would take us today at LEAST five years are said to have gone up in three years, three years, then when the fair was over boom gone except for three or four. And look at those, they were not built overnight to be temporary for a fair, that's how they destroyed the old world right in front of our ancestors face's. And believe me it is the same story for Buffalo, St. Louis, Chicago, Baltimore, even in Alaska was a city like that with a fair. The same time period and the same worlds fairs with elaborate ancient cities right here in America. Really enjoyed the video and your right I keep saying some awakening, seems like people went into a deeper sleep! 😉 The awakening I was expecting was people's eyes would open and start seeing what's been in front of us forever, like massive petrified trees from before the flood, everywhere, and a timeline that destroys the paradigm. I'm rambling, thanks

[@bluevireo425]

Love your ramble....thank you!

[@lberndt8408]

I wonder could witnessing all that intentional destruction have caused the need for all the "insane asylums" and the orphan trains?

[@pauljandreini5967]

From what I researched at our library and told by old craftsmen, they were built temporary for the fair. Literally plaster façades not meant to last. The Palace of Fine Arts was in deterioration lasting into the 1950s-early 60s, when groups came together to save it. It was NOT refurbished, it was completely taken down and built from the ground up to be permanent. What we have today is not what once stood. All the fair became underground rubble making the Marina/Cow Hollow districts landfill from Chestnut going north. Bay fill. So much of the rim of SF is bay fill. Earthquake fill too. My grandmother was 8. She said, she remember the dead horse carcasses. Living on a barge for 3 weeks, then to Sisters Of Mercy in Marin until family could be united a few months after. Also, the fire is what really took it down I was told by elders. And it was purposely done. SF was 70 years old at that time and all wooden. They took the opportunity to make her new. Those beautiful downtown buildings only looked like stone, but were all wood. No quarries here to get stone from. Today we're over a 120 years from the quake and this city is wayyy tooooo big now structurally. But that's an opinion of one born in 1954 and remember a city that was and is no longer.

[@653j521]

@@pauljandreini5967 Very interesting. They tried to create a backfire and firebreaks with dynamite to keep the whole city from burning after fires burst out all over, and just made the situation worse. So to say it was purposely done omits the fact that the city was already ablaze and the inexpert firefighters didn't know what they were doing. Thanks for the family stories. I hope you wrote them down. It would make a good book. :) And thanks for the information on the fair buildings. I get so tired of all the conspiracy theories. It's a relief to see information from a rational human.

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Oh like my BERLIN. Was also totally bombed. 24 hours. Our friends worked shiftwork. Us 12 and the empire...12...sad when city's are gone lots of love

[@judithclark3961]

I was also raised in San Francisco. One wonderful prior 1906 that was left out is Nob Hill and the huge Stanford, Flood and Mark Hopkins mansions. They were bombed to stop the 1906 fire. Those people built San Francisco. San Francisco became great due to the Comstock Lode in Virginia City Nevada. Wonderful video.

[@andyokus5735]

Thanks for stating my point. So much wealth from all the gold. And perhaps they wanted to compete with old Europe in their architecture.

[@timper4326]

The architecture in San Francisco and Los Angeles around the turn of the previous century was beautiful, at least we can marvel at the pictures.

[@kenb735]

As for the ornate and oversized architecture, San Francisco early on very consciously styled itself the "Paris of the West". The city was on the far end of the continent with not the most savory reputation given the rapidity of its growth during the gold rush. They hoped to attract monied interests and needed to create a city to rival New York and Chicago if they were to be successful.

[@653j521]

Yes. After the quake they rushed to rebuild and had a world's fair with the notice given out to the world that they were open for business again so come visit (and spend money, and invest). Chicago did the same thing after their fire. Don't let anyone think you were dead or the money will dry up.

[@davidschofieldinsf]

14:12 That fountain is still there at the corner of Kearny and Market Sts. Every year on April 18, survivors of the '06 quake would gather there. Thanks Jarid, yes, SF has a rich history for such a young city. I hope you make it out here someday.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Except the destruction wasn't from the earthquake for the most part.

[@gs1100ed]

I grew up in the Bay Area. You really don’t want to visit SF. It’s turned into a cesspool. Used hypodermics laying In the street along with feces. Rampant homelessness and crime. It’s better not to meet your heroes.

[@oldRoyaltypewriter]

That is Lotta's Fountain, named for a famous singer/actress of the period.

[@xikanita]

I appreciate your collection. I often look for photos and footage that isn’t common of SF. I’m a CA native who lives 60 miles from SF, but lived in SF and for some reason have been obsessed with the city since I was a child. I truly hope you are able to visit soon. California is a wonderland and SF is magnificent. I will never leave no matter how expensive. World wonders are here. I love my state 🌉🌇🖤 PS: the indigenous word is pronounced “Oh-lone-ee”.

[@debbiecowger4422]

Glad you have him the pronunciation of Ohlone. That hurt me to hear! 😉

[@xikanita]

@@debbiecowger4422 😬 he’s not local, but yes…I cringed 🥹. Long “e” at the end 😊

[@trentdawg2832]

Oh-lawn……..lol yeah I bit my tongue too when I heard him say it

[@JillShaw]

Thank you friend and fellow native and hello from Vallejo 💜💙 I feel the same they will have to blast me out of here with dynamite ✨ never leaving The Bay😂 thank you for correcting their pronunciation I did the same 😉💙💜✌️

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Have you been to SF recently? Even back in the 1970's it was like the Twilight Zone to me, when I visited from Marin - just across the Golden Gate bridge (which is actually orange = 33). Gay men were openly kissing and groping, smoking marijuana, while cops walked around ignoring it. In the rest of the state marijuana was like heroin or cocaine or speed - hated by law enforcement and users persecuted ruthlessly. But not in SF, it's been a psychological operation ever since. At this point SF is an open-air psychiatric prison and cesspit, you obviously haven't been there recently............?

[@evasilva4800]

I applaud after watching every vidio.. Great work. I congratulate you for your Profesional outstanding research.

[@AlleAnneWand]

best alternative channel on youtube !!!

[@rubenbraekman4515]

I love old world documentaries, I find it facinating how advanced and spectacular the buildings and infrastructure was

[@scottpreston5074]

You will love San Francisco when you get there! There is no place like it on the planet. Your photos are amazing and show how much architectural style we have lost. SF prior to 1906 looked like Paris of the same period. Both, in my mind are sacred places.

[@drunolan5656]

My grandfather lost his shoe business located off of Market St in the 1906 quake and fires. His large Victorian home was up on Washington in Pacific Heights, it survived and is still there.

[@jondonahue7163]

Wow! Am 78, grew up in San Fran, in a 1915 home with 10’ high ceilings. Still feels normal to me. But your photos of those pre-quake buildings... so tall, probably 15-20’ ceilings! They were richer then. Even with all the high-tech folks in the City now... no, nothing like the sheer wealth from the Sierras and the Comstock Lode that made those buildings possible. Thanks for this - I saved the picture of Sutro Baths, where I swam as a boy, only 10¢, before the polio outbreak in the 1950s.

[@653j521]

The high ceilings were a big help before ac. New cities wanted to run with the big dogs so built to impress the rest of the world to come here and invest. That was especially true from Chicago and on west, wanting all the glitter, sophistication, and modern conveniences of the older cities to their east. Mark Twain recounted his trip to San Francisco and going back east. He arrived via a colorful but grueling stage coach and went back in luxury on the newly built train, marveling at the fast pace of technological change. In truth, all the modern devices and methods already existed in the US but hadn't yet reached out from the coasts to the center. He brought law books for his brother, thinking for some reason his brother couldn't get them in San Francisco, and found he had dragged them along for nothing because he could buy anything he could want there.

[@gs1100ed]

@@653j521 sorry! AC is not necessary in SF. We always took sweaters and jackets when we visited there from the South Bay where it was usually 10 degrees warmer. Folks in the Bay Area really don’t need AC. The weather is nice there all year round.

[@jamesn.economou9922]

Thanks for pumping out these videos! They are fantastic, and your collection of photos is off the charts. I'm grateful for the good work you do.

[@fob1xxl]

I was born across the bay in Berkeley in 1945. Went to San Francisco every month with my family ever since I was born. The PLAYLAND, CLIFFHOUSE, DOWNTOWN, THE JAPANESE GARDENS, THE ZOO, THE MUSEUM, CHINATOWN, FISHERMAN'S WHARF. I loved going there. It was always a SPECIAL EVENT ! As a teen and living in Santa Clara, I went there every week. I even studied music and voice there in the 60s. I can't believe how unsightly it has all become. My memories of the 50s and 60s will never fade. 💙

[@darrenrunyon1736]

I've lived in San Francisco for the past 17 years and these photos are blowing my mind. i really want to learn more about the arch at 13:59. Seeing all these photos has really inspired me to want to get out and take a bunch of modern black and white photos of my favorite spots in the city to see how they compare. Large entry ways is still a part of the building style in San Francisco... The ultra modern (and recently built) Apple store has 20 ft. Tall sliding glass doors for example.

[@CollinKelley]

The arch was the Market Street Gate. Believe it or not, it was a temporary structure built for the 1886 reunion of Civil War soldiers who fought and won on the Union side. If you look closely, you’ll the soldiers parading under the triumphal arch and the words above “The Union Forever.”

[@antoniomuniz2071]

I moved to San Francisco in 1962 and lived there for 7 years. I found the city to be so beautiful. Sad to see the shape it's in now.😢

[@glendabarton45barton48]

Love those buildings.. And the shops on the Bay. .We had snow in San Francisco. About 1074 I think.

[@glendabarton45barton48]

Ships on the bay

[@rosstempletonogskater]

The Tall Doorways and Tall Window Openings were to have air Circulate Thru the House. The Plantation homes also had that. Later on there were Giant Fans in the middle of the house to keep air circulating with the windows open. I saw one when I was a Realtor, in a house built about 1910

[@codigi]

Wow… Thank you so much for sharing… You are a gentleman and a scholar and yet also humble and focused on what you are sharing with us… I am a San Francisco native, and I’ve seen a lot of documentaries about old San Francisco, but I have never seen these images before or this focus and historical context thank you so much!

[@gregmuon]

What a great collection of photos. Enjoyed it, thanks. I lived there for most of my life. A couple small points: Fort Point, the Civil War era 'star fort' is still there... And Ohlone is pronounce Oh-LOW-nee.

[@maryapplegarth5407]

Terrific images I've never seen …Thank you for posting this- more please!

[@michelleorton1718]

Beautiful pictures, beautiful music.

[@michaelrowjr.5796]

Hello. I am a San Francisco native, born and raised. I love my city. I've lived in London, Paris, Hong Kong, but San Francisco will always be home, there's no place like it in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed your video, enough so that I became a subscriber, and very soon hopefully a sponsor. I have an immense library dedicated to San Francisco's past, and present. When you do make it out here I'd love to show you around, some of my favorite places in the city, as well as some of the unsolicited sites usually known only to locals. Thank you for a great entertaining video.

[@tomspirito2421]

Completely Mesmerizing!

[@ronbenetjamsey9567]

Very cool collection! To me what really sets San Francisco apart in the history books is that it basically sprang fully formed out of the landscape. There have been boom towns throughout history, but normally those complexities that make a city's culture truly unique take a long time to develop. In 1840 it was little more than an outpost. By 1880 it was a major city with all the unique diversity, sophistication and wildness that you'd expect from a world-class metropolis. And then it happened again in the first 20 years of the 20th century. There is not a single other city in the world like it.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

You have to remember how much money the Roman Catholic Church has at its disposal, infinite money since they create it out of nothing using their "court jew" money changers (House of Rothschild etc.). They also have teams of masons and other specialists, who they send to cities they want to create, and the first thing they do is build huge Cathedrals to mind-control the masses, and all the other structures to support the mini-Babylon they are building.

[@CynthiaWord-iq7in]

Good points, people forget reading about the empire state Bldg 100 stories was built in 18 months 1928-31 along with the competing Chrysler Bldg and many more.

[@pauldanos8981]

Thanks for the video. Loved it. Amazing images I’d never seen. I moved from NYC, home, to SF in 1976 for college. Never left. After 5yrs I moved to L.A. Now I live in Palm Springs. I’m addicted to California.

[@peterlawrence3152]

The city was truly magnificent. Thank you for showing us these images.

[@mintaka57]

Wow, terrific collection of vintage images and really well edited/presented. ♥

[@qua7771]

Imagine being able to visit the early 1900's for a while.

[@mbrennan459]

I love the film of San Francisco that they were able to determine was filmed a day or two before the earthquake/fire.

[@Veldtian1]

No one would ever believe in the sheer extent of this stuff. Superb compilation Jarid my man.

[@gregwoolliscroft6255]

My favourite place on earth since I was 12, I'm nearly 64. I went for the first time in 1978 when I was 18....I've been about 13 more times since. I collect memorabilia and antiques from SF....I still love it and plan to go again....

[@SuperAfranks]

There's some really interesting stuff here in San Antonio. There's an aqueduct that runs over 7 miles supposed to have been dug by Spaniards and Indians in the 1700's. It still works. I'm gonna try to get a close look at the old courthouse and cathedral.

[@MountainDivine]

Yes you must. I'm looking everywhere in my local area near Manchester UK it's all the same set up same style buildings that remain. Google and Wiki are actually fascinating with their versions on events in most cases always a fire or removed from lack of use or repurposed by some generous freemason yet brutalised to end result. We are now seeing and hearing of park bandstands being ancient tunnel entrances they've tried to hide. That hearths didn't have fire use but now looking like energy resonance use from towers, domes, receivers from large houses and water always seems to come into play. Large old country estates same designs with domes, circular fountains to the front and now seeing churches or chapels attached. Now thinking every freemason who knew the secrets of free energy, water and warmth on these estates needed this set up. Hence why in cities the masses would go to the then healing centres that now call themselves organised religion churches. Just trying to figure out from the aussie Tartarian Truthers here the way energy got into houses to benefit. Yesterday on a big estate I saw the usual domes and spires chimneys with bricks missing was this for energy? Another lady said her grandmother in Croatia told her a story of going to " church" to collect a metal rod from a hole in the floor and returning to her home and placing the metal rod into a hole in the hearth??? What did this do? Collect the healing resonce? Keep the house warm? Still trying to figure some answers there? Maybe someone here has made some observations as the set up is worldwide. Thank you for brilliant video. All things seem to lead to free energy.😇😁

[@jamessones4044]

Like aquaculture construction is digging ditches! Laughable lies.

[@SuperAfranks]

@@jamessones4044 Ok smartass. Let's see you dig it, lay the stones and keep it almost level for 7 miles. With a donkey, shovel and picks. In fact, have you ever done any manual labor at all? Probably plan it with cad under an air conditioner and wonder why it doesn't work in the real world...

[@ireen1962]

@@MountainDivine I always wonder how they heat the big buildings without chimneys , humm

[@SuperAfranks]

@Astral Enlightenment The aqueduct is on the south side of the city along the mission trails. You have to really look for it. The incarnate word university is where the river used to start. I suspect there's some interesting stuff around there. Of course there is no San Antonio river any longer. Everything from the riverwalk south is 100 percent treated wastewater. Let me know if you find something else. Most of the city has changed so much that it's hard to find anything old world.

[@ltnboop]

We were married in San Francisco in 1964 and visited the city over a hundred times. We love it and the history. Thank you.

[@cindylewis3325]

Had the chance to visit SF in April 1979. Beautiful! The architecture before the quake was so unusual, amazing buildings almost some look like buildings in Paris, others a take on Greek style. It seemed a combination of styles that was American. Sorry to here about the mounds. Ever watch the 1930s film “San Francisco” starring Clark Gable? I think it was filmed just 30 years after the quake, depicts the raging earthquake. Mother Nature makes you feel so small when she begins to move the earth under you.

[@LieutenantSandcastle]

Even though 20 ft. ceilings are a waste of space, I love them. They give a sense of grandeur.

[@willyoeikeland3116]

Those old tall doorways you mentioned can be seen still in Old Sacramento. They were lucky enough to not have torn down the oldest part of town in the 50s and60s. It is a time capsule from the pre-earthquake days of San Fransisco.

[@sunnyday7843]

Love looking around old California when I get a chance ! Grew up in So Cal -

[@JayKarpwick]

Tall windows and doors were common in the days before A/C was common. High ceilings let warm air rise where it flowed out through the tops of windows. That’s also why many doors and windows had transoms at their tops.

[@jimgrant1722]

Thank you so much for these remarkable images. I haven’t been back to San Francisco in maybe fourteen years I spent my professional career there in the late 1980’s up until about ten years ago. For me, living in San Francisco was as Heaven on earth. Everywhere I’d go was architecturally significant and amazingly beautiful. I literally bed in a restored landmark building, worked in the heart of t(e Financial district, my office window looking king out up up California St toward the bay. I travelled most weekends across the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge to hike Dow the cliffs on the far side, down to a secluded nude beach called Land,s End where we bathed in the sun and salt air looking back to the skyline of this beloved city. Your presentation brought back so many memories of events and visual and inspirations that shaped my life and impact it even today. Thank youThank you so much for these remarkable images. I haven’t been back to San Francisco in maybe fourteen years I spent my professional career there in the late 1980’s up until about ten years ago. For me, living in San Francisco was as Heaven on earth. Everywhere I’d go was architecturally significant and amazingly beautiful. I literally bed in a restored landmark building, worked in the heart of t(e Financial district, my office window looking king out up up California St toward the bay. I travelled most weekends across the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge to hike Dow the cliffs on the far side, down to a secluded nude beach called Land,s End where we bathed in the sun and salt air looking back to the skyline of this beloved city. Your presentation brought back so many memories of events and visual and inspirations that shaped my life and impact it even today. Thank you

[@hilohattie3681]

Native SF’er here… Nice to see the few buildings that survived the Quake and Fire! Sorry to miss images of the few Arts and Crafts buildings that were being built at the time of the Q and F! So little did survive… amazing! Thanks so much for the research and uploading. (Sorry the non-standard pronunciation of Ohlone was used! Hope you have visited SF since the upload! You’d make a great tour guide to what remains today of the pre Q&F!!

[@lauralauren6432]

Watch UAPs and Conspiracy r us videoson The San Francisco 1906 "quake". The military blew up 27000 buildings to fight The fires. NO deliberate demolishion.

[@justintrowbridge1809]

I'm 73 third gen native have our family photos in 1859 on goat island (yerba Buena) on steamship" Leader ". My gf was Mason laid keel built frame of at City Hall after quake copy of French bank architecture bank of marsaille..in 1915 he built ships in Humboldt bay for our sf mayor James" Sonny""Rolph jr. At his shipard rolphs in eureka Humboldt bay my gf built barkentines christened in 1916 named the CONQUEROR..eureka hist society has my gf photos of complete shipyards available to public..quake and related fire never went past vanness only downtown suffered little damages in mission Valencia area but everyone in noe and eureka valley no issues it's all solid Rock area in ev and diamond heights..I was jr lifeguard at fleischajers went to John oconnel in early 60s grew up noe valley alterboy at st. Paul's in Fifties..yes old sanfrancisco is destroyed the last 50 years. No class no culture but drugs disease and sex degerates refugees and minorities libblind board of sup.. joke of mayor office sf is America's most disgraced city..ashamed to say I grew up here..

[@taleandclawrock2606]

What magnificent architectures, thankyou for this beautiful compilation, going on my Epic playlist. Beautiful music.

[@Linda-pw8gx]

My most favorite city in the world❤

[@realnikonlover6207]

I recently retired with over 44 years in disaster and emergency management. I am a native Californian and have studied this particular period of California history, have been to San Francisco and surrounding areas multiple times, and looked at the construction of said buildings. Facts: The Great Quake of 1906 didn't level the city, it brought down those buildings that had unreinforced masonry. The Fire Chief was killed in the earthquake, the water systems broke in the quake and pumping stations failed thus leading to many fires. Demolition experts blew up buildings trying to stop the spread of fire but instead created worse fires. San Francisco recovered quickly due in part to aid coming up from Southern California via ships and trains. A great book: History of Disasters in California 1800-1900 is also an eye opener. The next disaster in California is water! There is not enough water reserves to support the population if another Great Quake happens.

[@StanHoryza]

I love San Francisco. I give a really good history tour. One thing you didn't touch on is the fire wasn't just a fire. The fire chief was injured in the quake. His 2nd was incompetent. So the firefighting was deferred to the commandant of the presidio who assigned his munitions manager to the task. He thought it was best to fight fire with fire and blew up buildings. This actually created more fires.

[@togowack]

@Michael Smith planned and engineered to read a certain way in the books

[@francoamerican4632]

It's my understanding that most of the water lines were broken during the earthquake which effectively eliminated the option of using water to contain the fire.

[@JeffHogge-n1f]

I've always wanted to know what "Old San Francisco" looked like before that earthquake. WOW, what fantastic architecture that existed in that time period. HOW did they do it? That's what really amazes me... especially when you realize they didn't have all the power equipment that we have today. It's the same amazement I feel when I think about how they built the "Titanic". How sad it is that all that "Old-World" architecture was destroyed but the pictures still exist. Magnificent!

[@JayKarpwick]

Actually they DID have heavy-duty power equipment in the late 19th century, but it was all *steam-powered.* Look up steam tractors, power shovels, even drills - AWESOME stuff! Also remember that back then SF was one of the wealthiest cities in the US due to wealth accumulated during and after the gold rush of the 1850s. Money attracted money, with a lot of 1% types moving to SF. They had the resources to hire top craftsmen to build their homes, and often emulated European styles as a way to prove that America's upper class had "made it".

[@briancrumpacker]

I worked under the city just over 15 years ago, installing parts of the backup electrical generation systems for a couple of locations. In our current levels of engineering and construction, I find it difficult to believe that the current civilization had any part in building all of that infrastructure already in place. Side note: Ohlone is pronounced "oh low nee." Great video!

[@SymphonyBrahms]

It's not difficult to believe at all. Human beings have always been clever and knew how to build. There were no supermen building that city. Humans did it. And denying it denigrates the human race.

[@briancrumpacker]

@@SymphonyBrahms It's silly if you're implying that I don't think humans built it. It just makes sense to me that it's possible that there could be a separation between the current group, and a previous group.

[@JayKarpwick]

@@briancrumpacker My grandparents and great-grands grew up in those times. Two were in construction. They weren't giants, they weren't supermen, but they were VERY good at what they did using the tools of the time. They didn't have computers but they had steam-powered heavy equipment and very precise tools for their work. I'm still using some of their hand tools in my shop. We simply don't give our immediate ancestors credit for what they could accomplish.

[@alisaaustin8431]

My grandfather and his mother were in the quake. He was a teenager. They lived on California street. After the quake, they lived in Golden Gate Park for six months in a tent.

[@sputumtube]

What a beautiful city it was pre-1906. The diverse architecture makes modern glass and steel buildings look unimaginitive (albeit practical, safe and cheap).

[@rodlee2788]

I used to work in the Old Mint on 5th & Mission back in 1975. Brings back good memories.

[@CYBERSiMULACRA]

My great grandfather and great grandmother lived in San Francisco when the earth quake and fire happened. They were always skeptical of the official story. My great grandmother told me the earthquake was gnarly but it sounded like bombs were going off all over the city. I think they were told gas line explosions. They also told me of the splendor of the city and always wondered why they built it back so plain. My great grandfather did help build the Golden Gate and bay bridges. The not so old world fascinates me, it’s either we lost our spark or never had it.

[@kennixox262]

A lot of the old world style of architecture, cornices, unreinforced brick buildings were not used as much after the quake due to the failure in 1906. Prior to that event, there was no allowances for seismic considerations on buildings and not until after the 1933 Long Beach quake did California really start to put together the requirement for seismic building codes. Even after the 1971 Sylmar quake codes had to be updated after a modern hospital open only for one month prior to the quake partly collapsed and more changes to codes after the 1993 Kobe quake and 1994 Northridge quake. After the next major California quake and there will be one somewhere, discoveries of why buildings failed will result in even more changes. The main issue is older buildings that have not been retrofitted, demolished and replaced. A lot of those new mansions in the Hollywood Hills will most definitely not move at all in the next major quake as they use very deep caissons drilled deep into bedrock that will prevent major damage.

[@653j521]

@@kennixox262 Thank you for science and sense!

[@californianorma876]

The gas lines all blew at the connector to peoples homes. That's why there was so much fire. Oh brother, crowdsourcing San Francisco history is not appropriate.

[@2degucitas]

Yes, they were gas explosions. No conspiracy here.

[@CYBERSiMULACRA]

@@californianorma876 ahh I don’t claim to know shit but that makes sense why my great grand said it sounded like bombs she told me it just leveled the place.

[@tomhalloran4877]

As a 4th generation San Franciscan .......... I thank you, and simple state you must come to the city which you have so lovingly shared with the world.

[@faithworks217]

Good music selection. I hate the weird modern stuff that is hard on the nerves and interferes with concentration when looking at photos and illustrations.

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

I wish so badly I could go back in time

[@bodaciousbiker]

Thank's for this great video of old San Francisco. I can't get over how beautiful the pre-quake city was. Those buildings would be worthy of any European capital, and if it weren't for the typical N. American 'highrises', you could be forgiven for mistaking it for somewhere in Europe. At the very least, the city's fathers obviously wanted to compete with New York or Chicago for greatness. Incidentally, that beautiful early domed skyscraper that appears prominently in many photos of the city's devastated skyline was known as the 'Call Building' and amazingly, survived the quake in relatively good shape. However, in the subsequent fire, a building adjacent to the 'Call' (the Winchester Hotel) caught fire. Flames from the burning hotel lept across to lower levels of the 'Call', and soon after, this early skyscraper literally became an early 'Towering Inferno'. As the blaze progressed upward floor by floor, flames could eventually even be seen licking from the small decorative windows set into its ornate dome. In any other place or time, a building of this height and stature ablaze would have been remembered, even today, as a significant event in itself, but it simply paled next to the enormity of the citywide disaster that unfolded. The gutted building was eventually repaired and still exists today, though you'd be hard pressed to recognize it. In the late 1930's the dome was removed, six stories were added to it, and it was completely resheathed and given a very 20th century art deco makeover and today is called 'Central Tower'. Your passion for history, cities and architecture shines through in your work, and I have no doubt you will see San Francisco some day soon!

[@AI-xs4fp]

The city was beautiful and extremely grand in the Beaux-art style before the earthquake and would easily have been a NYC for the westcoast. Reducing the height and structures was the only solution but it has made it the expensive city it is today because of those same restrictions. Thanks for sharing the exclusive photos.

[@raypratt3611]

So I recall a Jon Levi clip from aboutv 3 yrs ago and there was a private photo and I'm thinking it was this same parade but there was handwriting on it and it said the THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR parade on MARKET STREET in If I remember right 1884 so it was straight up called KNIGHTS TEMPLAR not KNIGHTS HONOR parade,which blew my mind back then!!

[@robertafierro5592]

I really enjoy the comments section on these Historical.Photographs Channels. Absolutely priceless time capsules..each photo is a book within itself..these pre Earthquake photos reveal.the importance of Decorative Arts, Gardens of true beauty, the Stunning Architecture, the Clothing, the faces..the art of Observing Humans enjoying their environments..never forget for a second, that only a few blocks away were very hungry children begging for spare coins for milk..

[@mizgrizbiz]

STUNNING ! My home town… I had no idea how beautifully developed it was before the quake. The sheer magnitude and scope. (No pun intended) Honestly, it looks like Europe but maybe better ! Bravo 👏🏼 Great compilation ! I am sharing with everyone.

[@lorenpriest7604]

I think older & better than Europe!!!

[@trentdawg2832]

Well the immigrants did build most of it

[@GotstandardsDiamondNedFlanders]

The whole idea is that stuff was here before any explorers got here..

[@3p.vision544]

@@GotstandardsDiamondNedFlanders theres certainly an argument to be made that in the least, the official narrative is off. In 1845 they say that there were only 40 or 50 wooden shacks and structures here. Which indicates that in a period of 30 years (if we use the Muybridge panoramic as our reference), a completely built out, sprawling urban metropolis, complete with sewers, cobble and brick paved roads with concrete sidewalks, curb and gutters, an extensive cable car system, cathedrals and churches as well as rows and rows of impeccably designed and constructed old world brick and concrete buildings.. seems to almost magically appear. The weathered and ancient patina that is visible on most of the structures, making them appear a hundred or more years old, this aside, we are left to believe that during the time period when several other major cities across the U.S were simultaneously being built up in a similar fashion, a time prior to the area being connected to the railroad lines, during the gold rush, during the civil war, without access to hydraulic earth moving equipment, power tools or an efficient supply chain for the massive amounts of raw materials it would require to build as much as was built... a bunch of mormon pioneers, cowboys and fur traders, chinese immigrants and gold miners came, surveyed and perfectly laid out and constructed such a massive, extensive and glorious metropolis.. Its hard to just accept this narrative taken at face value. Just excavating the hard clay soil for the sewers and foundations would have proven difficult with pick axes and shovels.. I thought everybody was off mining for gold, fighting in the civil war or building the railroad or one of the several other cities that were being built. Where did all these skilled craftsmen, laborers and artisans come from? What about the materials ? It seems like creating the massive amounts of brick and concrete that it took would have been a feat unto itself. This was a wild western frontier town .. log cabins and corrugated metal shanties is what one would expect to see here.. But we see a glorious, classically designed Greco-Roman metropolis.. that certainly appears much older and established than a mere 30 years. Something just seems off about the narrative we are presented with.

[@bonniejeannetucker6992]

Yes I can agree with that

[@agoogleuser2153]

At 5:45 you mention that the trolley is wired with cables under ground. That's exactly correct, but the cables weren't electrical wires, they had no power from electricity. The cable actually pulled the trolley. From the main plant a miles long cable under all the tracks moved as one giant loop. The train man would go forward by squeezing a lever with a tall stick and cause a vise like clamp to grip the cable. The harder the grip the faster it went. To stop he relaxed the grip on the always moving cable with the lever stick and applied some brakes. Love your videos and the photos. Would love to see more mud, etc.

[@JayKarpwick]

San Francisco is FAMOUS for its cable cars! Three lines are still in operation today, 150 years after the system started.

[@bobjenkins9208]

Loving your videos more and more mate. The images you find are amazing, and your open mind to all possibilities, makes it very fun to explore with you.

[@chrislucy3778]

Every time I see these pictures it has a polarising effect - awe at the beauty, and sadness at the destruction of building and history.

[@FrankLee-qd3hy]

Ohlone pronounced OH-LOW-NEE. Great video. *Liked* *Subscribed* I've never seen an earthquake wreak such havoc on structures as did the 1906 earthquake. It looks more like nuclear devastation. I just don't think an earthquake of that magnitude could do that kind of damage. I think the earthquake was an excuse to get rid of all the antiquitech and the Tartarian style buildings that were literally everywhere.

[@rexfreund9025]

Thank you! Good video but this mispronunciation just kills me!

[@allahandro8367]

Is that what you think, funny how this exact style already existed in Europe, the problem with you tartaria people is you gauge civilization on architecture alone, they photographed these buildings made a digital image of them but couldn’t build them? Give me a break, Americans are so uneducated they don’t even realize dna evidence has proven Europeans literally came from Central Asia which would of been tartaria, hence androvono culture and indo European migration, which would make the colonial people the original tartars

[@drunolan5656]

The fires destroyed most of downtown, after the quake.

[@FrankLee-qd3hy]

@@drunolan5656 That's common knowledge but how does any fire burn brick and granite structures to their foundations so completely as to resemble the aftermath of a nuclear explosion?

[@honeysucklecat]

@@FrankLee-qd3hy depends on location. Large areas were dynamited to prevent the fire from spreading. Fires can lead to a structure collapsing as well.

[@1d1ane]

Thanks for the photos and presentation. I've worked SF from '84. 14:13 photo of 'Lotta Fountain' ( Lotta's Fountain) for Lotta Crabtree, child stage song and dance performer ( from East coast) for gold miners' towns, made it big, donated the fountain to the City and it became a center of meeting ( and notes) after the '06 quake. She returned to visit, a day in her honor later in life, before WW1.

[@1d1ane]

- short read: Lotta Crabtree Fairy Star - Lois V Harris