23 Powerful Photographs of Vintage San Francisco

San Francisco is best known for the lazy fog that drapes its steep, geometric hills. The city, which was first founded in June 1776, is home to a number of beloved tourist attractions and landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. In this gallery of vintage San Francisco photographs, we uncover how the city has changed over the past century. Now a bustling international hub and the headquarters of various large banks and corporations, San Francisco continues to adapt and grow.

The photo shows the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake that caused damage to much of San Francisco. Source: Vintage Everyday

Fires continue to burn in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Source: Kammer

People walk across the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening day, May 27th, 1937. Source: Vintage San Francisco

A glimpse at San Francisco’s Grant Street in Chinatown. Source: SFGate

Young boys wait to ride the Ridee-O ride at Playland-at-the-Beach in Golden Gate Park in 1953. Source: Huffington Post

Legendary baseball star Willie Mays gets his 3,000th career hit in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1970. Source: KTVU

These Victorian style homes, called the “Painted Ladies,” have been featured in a number of films. They are located directly across from Alamo Square Park in Hayes Valley. Source: Debs Travels

Folks relax at a San Francisco park in the 1970s. Source: Marc Rochkind

A 1970s peace rally takes place in San Francisco. Source: Shorpy

People congregate at the Castro Street Fair, an LGBT street festival in the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco. Source: LGBT Historical Society

Boys play a game at an arcade in San Francisco. Source: SF Gate