Looking northwest from Sweeny Observatory at the top of Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park in 1898, this picture shows a sandy Richmond District and barren Lincoln Park. Prayerbook Cross is in the center foreground.
This photo of the corner of Fifth and Parnassus avenues was taken by United Railroads (predecessor of Market Street Railway and Muni) staff photographer John Henry Mentz on Oct. 30, 1919.
If you could go back in time to the Richmond District circa 1890, you would find the Bay District Race Track on Fulton Street between First (Arguello) and Fourth avenues.
A crowd gathers near the original Beach Chalet on Ocean Beach in 1914 to witness rough seas.
This picture from photographer A.J. McDonald shows the view looking north from the roof of the first Cliff House towards Cliff Cottage and Point Lobos, circa 1880s. The Cliff Cottage was badly damaged when the schooner Parallel exploded in January 1887, and this site went on to become home to the Sutro Baths. Photo courtesy of a private collector/Western Neighborhoods Project/OpenSFHistory.
It would take a keen eye to recognize this building on Ninth Avenue between Irving and Judah streets.
A sand dune takes over the street at 23rd Avenue and Anza Street in 1914. The view appears to be looking north toward the Presidio.
Photo of three women sitting atop a sand dune near the foot of Lincoln Way at Ocean Beach in 1899.
This pastoral scene in the Outer Richmond in 1899 is located near the intersection of 47th Avenue and Cabrillo Street,
Looking east toward Ninth Avenue in 1910, Irving Street was lined with private residences and a few scattered shops. Beyond this burgeoning corridor you can see the Affiliated Colleges peeking out from the forested peaks of Mt. Sutro. That is UCSF’s Parnassus Campus today.
This glass negative shows a slice of life at the Lands End Station near Mile Rock in 1906. People waiting for a United Railroads streetcar along this electrified Cliff Line could take in the view from benches along its perimeter, or escape the unpredictable weather and grab a snack from the waiting room inside.
This peaceful scene in 1900 shows what today is the busy intersection of 19th Avenue and Moraga Street, looking north toward Golden Gate Park in the distance.
As rationing began during World War II in 1943, the line for Denhard’s Market at 701 10th Ave. near Cabrillo stretched down the block.
The history of Louis’ Restaurant brings a rich visual story of not just the location but also the people, friends, family, employees and even Adolph Sutro’s nephew who negotiated a deal with Louie and his wife Helen in opening up a cafe on the Point Lobos Avenue cliffside in 1936.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 