Historical Photos

Historical Photo: Once Upon a Time in Golden Gate Park

Once upon a time, a streetcar ran through Golden Gate Park. The photographer was standing on the tracks looking north toward what is now the JFK Drive overpass and the Dutch Windmill. The route began as a steam train, was electrified in 1898, and converted to a conventional streetcar line by 1902. The 7-line streetcar was discontinued in 1947 (about when this photo was taken) but you can retrace the tracks by walking along Railroad Trail behind the Beach Chalet. Photo courtesy of a private collector/Western Neighborhoods Project/OpenSFHistory.

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