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San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection

Owning Institution: San Francisco Public Library

About this Collection

The San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection in the San Francisco History Center of the San Francisco Public Library contains over 2 million photographs and works on papers of San Francisco and California scenes ranging from 1850 to the present. This collection includes views of San Francisco street scenes, buildings, and neighborhoods, as well as photographs of famous San Francisco personalities. The collection consists mostly of the photo morgue of the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, a daily newspaper, ranging from 1920s to 1965. The collection also contains albums, slides, postcards, cabinet cards, stereoviews, and lantern slides of San Francisco and California subjects. Over 40,000 images may be viewed online.

View our statement on digital primary resources and historical description.

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4,838 items found in this collection of 19996 items

of 202
[Printing press at the Recorder Printing and Publishing Company]
[Parade of horse drawn carriages passing by the "Carriage Entrance" to Roos …
[Three women dressed in 1890 style dresses to celebrate the 112th anniversary …
[Four men standing in front of S. Fishel Tailor]
[Exterior of Kress & Company store]
[Entrance to Albert S. Samuels Company Jewelers]
[Interior of Samuels Jewelers]
[Art Linkletter on stage at a "Lucky Wedding Ring Party"]
[Group photo of San Francisco Tool Company employees]
[Sears, Roebuck & Company store on Mission Street]
[Employee working at the Spreckels/Russell Dairy Company]
[Spring Valley Water Company building at 425 Mason Street]
[Spring Valley Water Company building at 425 Mason Street]
[Employees of the Spring Valley Water Company]
[Standard Oil Company building]
[Standard Oil Company building]
[Thomas Brothers Map House]
[Thomas Brothers Map House]
[United Fruit Company facility at Islais Creek]
[United States Tire Company]
[W. J. Kenealey Jr. Horseshoer]
[Ferryboat Klamath at unidentified location]
[Antique rye bottle from Walter Landor Associates museum]
[Antique whiskey bottle from Walter Landor Associates museum]
of 202