The Sunset is San Francisco’s largest neighborhood, but it’s hard to get lost here. In a neighborhood where streets are numbered or alphabetized, it’s always easy to know where you are, no matter how blinding the sun, dense the fog, strong the wind or dark the night.
Mark, a collector from Cleveland, Ohio, found old photographs at a yard sale that he believes to be pictures of San Francisco from long ago.
A classic shot looking up Point Lobos Avenue near the Great Highway around 1947.
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.
Today, the curve along Sloat Boulevard near 39th Avenue is lined with quintessential Sunset stucco homes.
Long lines mirroring pandemic times at Denhard’s Market at 701 10th Avenue near Cabrillo Street.
The Sweeny Observatory once graced the top of Strawberry Hill at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.
This view is looking northwest on Quintara Street at Sunset Boulevard around 1940.
Most of the buildings on the north side of Clement Street and Funston Avenue (then known as 13th Avenue) in this May 1920 photograph still stand. It is also still possible to stand on this same patch of grass next to the former Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist building that has been reincarnated as the Internet Archive.
In this San Francisco Department of Public Works photo taken by Horace Chaffee, the Moraga Street Stairway to Golden Gate Heights was just completed in January 1928.
The Quonq Sing Laundry at 433 Seventh Ave. (now 465 Seventh Ave.) between Geary Boulevard and Anza Street is one of the earliest Chinese-owned businesses in the Richmond District. The structure was built in 1902 and was incorporated into the 1987 building currently on the same site.
When Alexandra Mitchell, the owner and principal fine art conservator at ACT Art Conservation, learned that the Cliff House’s art works and memorabilia were slated to be auctioned off in mid-March, she knew something had to be done.
In 1951, 4055 Irving St. at the corner of 42nd Avenue was the Portola Market advertising fancy fruits and choice meats. It was run for many years as A-1 Liquor & Groceries, until Palm City Wines recently took over …
In January 1904, Fulton Street and 10th Avenue was home to the Fulton Chutes. Owned by Charles Ackerman, the Chutes took up an entire city block …
A group of workers raise telephone poles on Geary Boulevard near 38th Avenue, circa 1915. In this view looking west, homes are visible in the distance – some of which still exist.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 