San Francisco Images

Hibernia Bank up for Landmark Status

2012-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hibernia Bank Building
Jones and Market Streets, c. 1920

This building housed the Hibernia Bank, founded in 1859, and was completed in 1892. Designed in the Beaux-Arts tradition by Albert Pissis, it was considered the most beautiful building in the City with its gilt copper dome over a circular portico entrance and four Corinthian columns.

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It has a gilt copper dome surmounting a circular portico entrance, with four Corinthian columns. The floor of the portico is inlaid witha mosaic representing a mariner's compass card. The facade was originally gleaming white (now weathered grey). The interior has a vaulted dome of glass in the center. The ceilings are beautifully ornamented and tinted yellow and gold.

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Hibernia Bank Building in Ruins after the Earthquake and fire
Jones and Market Streets, c. 1906

The story of the Tree in Union Square

2012-12-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree, Union Square, circa 1920

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Since 1880, a magnificent tree has adorned the Square in an annual tradition credited to Emperor Norton, the City's first great eccentric and credited as the first person to envision bridges across the bay, not mention a man who created his own currency.

The Square's name originated from pro-Union rallies held on the eve of the Civil War. Built on a sand dune, the Square became a public park in 1850.

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Articles and stories in this post are © Bennett Hall / San Francisco Images / Business Image Group

Source: Unless otherwise indicated, these images were sourced from the Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library, and have been digitally mastered by San Francisco Images / Business Image Group. You can acquire copies of these images framed and unframed through our World Wide Archive Web Galleries. A portion of all sales will be donated to the History Room to assist them with their work preserving local history and to maintain their collections.

Note: If you like what you see here and would like to help support local history, please become a member of the Oakland Public Library History Room.(Oakland History Room)

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Construction

2011-11-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

Bay Bridge, West Tower, c. 1937
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The Bay Bridge originally accommodated 3 lanes of car traffic for each direction on the upper deck, the lower deck being reserved for trucks, buses, and trains. In 1957, the railroad tracks were removed to allow eastbound traffic on the lower deck and westbound traffic on top.

Designer Charles H. Purcell
Chief engineer was Ralph Modjeski.
Construction began July 9, 1933

First established by the military in 1868, Yerba Buena Island was originally intended for artillery batteries to defend the Bay. It served as a regular Army camp until 1880, when the island was then transferred to the Navy. Extending into the Bay in the distance are the Long Wharf, used for shipping, and the Oakland Mole (right), which served commuters traveling across the Bay.

This 116 acre island later became the mid-point of the Bay Bridge,
which was completed in only three years in 1936.
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San Francisco's leaders recognizing that they were on the wrong side of the Transcontinental railroad, realized that to protect their growing economic ambitions that bridging the Bay was not optional - this was a matter of when not if.

Add caption

(collection of San Francisco Images)

WHEREAS, we issued our decree ordering the citizens of San Francisco and Oakland to appropriate funds for the survey of a suspension bridge from Oakland Point via Goat Island; also for a tunnel; and to ascertain which is the best project; and whereas the said citizens have hitherto neglected to notice our said decree; and whereas we are determined our authority shall be fully respected; now, therefore, we do hereby command the arrest by the army of both the Boards of City Fathers if they persist in neglecting our decrees. Given under our royal hand and seal at San Francisco, this 17th day of September, 1872

–Emperor Norton

Bay Bridge Construction from Telegraph Hill, c. 1934

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This view over waterfront piers shows one of the four towers of the Bridge
at different stages of construction. Building a bridge across the Bay had been a dream since the days of the Gold Rush often attributed to Emperor Norton who in 1872 issued a decree demanding
the construction of the bridge. In 1933 construction of
the Bridge finally commenced with completion only three years later.

The crossing from Yerba Buena Island to Oakland was spanned by a 10,176 foot cantilever bridge, the longest bridge of its kind at the time. To enable a shorter path across the Bay, a tunnel was created through the Island - the largest diameter bore tunnel in the world at 76’ wide, 58’ high. The Bridge was completed in 1936, accommodating automobile traffic on the upper deck, and the Key Rail system, buses and trucks on the lower deck.

Workers under the Caisson supporting the San Francisco
Bay Bridge during construction

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"Underneath the world's largest caisson, 92' wide by 197', which we will launched today at Moore Dry Docks, Oakland, this section will be christened when a beribboned bottle will be broken over its brow by Mrs. C. H. Purcell, wife of Chief Engineer of the SF Bay Bridge.

This caisson will be be sunk through mud and clay to bedrock and form the bottom of a concrete and steel structure extending 478.5 feet from the floor of the bay to a point 298.5' above the water midway between SF and Yerba Buena Island"

Installing the Shroud atop of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, 1936
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"Installation of "Shroud" on the $77MSF-Oakland Bay Bridge on the center anchorage.
The shroud will cover eye-bars and "A-Frame" atop this mid-water monolith to which giant cables are attached. It will soon be filled with concrete for a rigid grip. 6-20-1936"

Workers on North Catwalk
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Crew securing 100-foot sections of wire-mesh flooring on the cables at

Tower West two • August 17, 1935

Bay Bridge Lighting During Construction, December 1935
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Chosen for their soft, non-glare illumination, the sodium vapor lamps hung from the
Bay Bridge’s western span suspension cables added a festive quality.
The Bridge was now less than a year from completion,
and would soon enable significant expansion to the East Bay.

East Side of Yerba Buena Island during construction of Cantilever Section • c.1935
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Yerba Buena Island during the construction of the Cantilever section of the Bay Bridge
Two 500-foot anchor arms are started to connect 1400' of double deck bridge just east of Yerba Buena Island. The western anchor arm, shown at the right, will be completed when it reached Pier E2
in the water just off the island The 1400-foot cantilever span will not be joined until early 1936 accordingly to Chief Engineer C. H. Purcell

Hoisting the last section of the Cantilever section of the Eastern Span from a barge positioned on the Bay below. This is very nearly the section that collapsed on to its lower deck during the 1989
Loma Prieta Earthquake • c1936

West Tower of Bay Bridge, Under Construction, 1935
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The West Tower of the Bay Bridge rises 281 feet above the Bay,
with a concrete anchorage sunk 235 feet below the water line. Its
total height is taller than that of the largest of the Pyramids of Egypt
and it contains more concrete than the Empire State Building.
(this image from collection of San Francisco Images)

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Articles and stories in this post are © Bennett Hall / San Francisco Images / Business Image Group

Flickr Collection on the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island

Wikipedia on the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

Bancroft Library Digital Archive of Construction
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Returning Sailors at Hunter’s Point, January 1945

2011-11-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

Enlisted men, wounded in battle and home again after many months,
eagerly read American newspapers. This ship, the USS President Hayes,
was an attack transport in 1943 serving the Pacific area, and participated
in the successful invasion of Guam in July 1944 and Leyte in October.

Mission Dolores, our oldest remaining structure

2011-07-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Mission Dolores c1880
from original Albumen photograph by Taber
Dolores and Sixteenth Streets

The sixth mission in California was established here by Padre Junipero Serra in 1776, and named Mission San Francisco de Asis a la Laguna de los Dolores (Saint Francis of Assisi at the Lagoon of Sorrows).

It is the oldest intact building (foreground) in the City, and one of the oldest Mission Churches in California.

The Wikipedia Story:

The Mission was founded on June 29, 1776, by Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Father Francisco Palóu (a companion of Father Junipero Serra), both members of the de Anza Expedition, which had been charged with bringing Spanish settlers to Alta (upper) California, and evangelizing the local Natives, the Ohlone.

Presently there seems to be raging debate over who built the first structure of note in San Francisco, with some experts arguing against Andy Galvin, noted historian both for the Mission, as well as the Ohlone Indians who truly were HERE first.

READ the story on SF curbed here:
SFCurbed post on the history of Mission Dolores

Montgomery Street 1876 at the time of the opening of the Palace Hotel

2011-06-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

Palace Hotel from Montgomery Street,
Gas Lamps, c.1876

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Gas Lamps lined Montgomery Street in a City that rival the European Capitals it style and elegance. Viewing toward Market Street, the marble clad Palace Hotel completed in 1876 was the largest hotel west of the Mississippi. Another leading hotel, the Lick House, corner of Montgomery and Sutter streets, is visible through the row of ornate street lamps.

James B. M. Crooks installed the first street lamps in San Francisco on Merchant street in October, 1850. They were oil burning and funded by private subscription. By 1852, Crooks had led the development of ninety lamps covering Montgomery, Clay, Washington and Commercial streets, again privately funded. regretfully , apart from four posts a fire on May 4th in 1853 destroyed the initial work. In the autumn of 1852, the common council contracted with Mr. Crooks to light the city within the limits of Battery, Kearny, Jackson and California streets. This contract was carried out until the introduction of gas as above related, by a contract made with Mr. James Donahue for the “San Francisco Gas Company.”

Hand-tinted black and white photography by Bennett Hall, collection San Francisco Images

PBS: San Francisco Exhibit Reunites Gertrude Stein's Remarkable Art Collection

2011-06-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Stein's development of a remarkable collection - tracing how she turns a modest inheritance, choosing to buy art over clothes, often purchasing the unpopular pieces, several by Matisse that later become among his most acclaimed, another provoking changes in Picasso's work. This collection at MOMA is must see - as is its companion show on Gertrude Stein's life at the nearby Contemporary Jewish Museum. Stein strove to be recognized beyond her status as a collector, an accomplished writer, she lived the uncommon life, partnered and lived with Alice B. Toklas, wrote operas in the 30's, and sat extensively in Paris for Picasso, where after 80-90 sittings another masterpiece was created, now bequeathed to the New Museum of Modern art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSuTnKRCcg&feature=youtu.be

Artifacts unearthed from whaling ship at Main and Folsom

2011-05-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Candace was a three-masted whaling ship that ended its last voyage in the port of San Francisco in 1855. An exhibit of artifacts, recovered from the excavation, and stories of this Gold Rush ship were uncovered from the building site at Folsom and Main and are now on long term display in the lobby of the Infinity.

The exhibit was organized by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society who is also leading the efforts to restore the San Francisco Mint.

Main Website: San Francisco History Society

MEDIA CONTACT
Kathleen Iudice: kiudice@comcast.net; 707-225-2354

The Candace Exhibition
The exhibition at the Infinity will display, on a rotating basis, selections from the more than 200 artifacts recovered from the site at Folsom and Main. In addition, the exhibit contains a photographic chronology of the excavation by Anne Bement. Primarily known for her impressionistic landscapes and digital abstract images, her photographs have been shown in galleries and museums around the country. Bement documented the unearthing of the Candace from her 18th floor terrace directly across the street from the future site of The Infinity. The exhibition has been made possible through a collaboration between the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, which received both the artifacts and the remaining portions of the Candace, and the Infinity Owners Association.

Video on history of golden Gate Park by Glenn Robert Lym

2011-05-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

HERE2-A History of Golden Gate Park from Glenn Robert Lym on Vimeo.

Wickipedia on Golden Gate Park

Found SF's article on Golden Gate Park and its history

Mclaren Lodge, Golden GAte Park

2011-05-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

Restored authochome print c1900

history as written by San Francisco Park's and Recreation:

http://sfrecpark.org/WhoWeAre.aspx

Entrance Gate to Golden Gate Park, c. 1900

2011-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

A cigar stand and ticket office were located at this entrance gate to
the Park, facing the turnaround of the Park & Ocean Railroad line.
Diverse leisure activities were available in the Park, including strolling,
canoeing, swimming and touring museums, exotic gardens and lakes.

From our galleries on World Wide Archive

Cool Iris feed from Flickr - testing 1 2 3

2011-03-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

this is really cool - let me know what you think... you can add tags and specify which collection in Flickr will be display in the Cool Iris Application.

Happy Chinese New Year ! A look back to the Gold Rush...

2011-02-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

This amazing atmospheric view from our private collection transports me back to another era - it almost looks like a scene out of Deadwood, yet it is real. Can you hear the wagons wheel percussion as they traverse the cobblestone street of the booming young City by the Bay?
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"Chinaman" Carrying Supplies, San Francisco, c.1860

Gold Rush lured many Chinese to California who later migrated to urban areas in the 1860’s and ‘70’s. They became a dominant work force in industries of canning, cigars, woolen mills, shoes, and sewing, and in restaurants and laundries. They were such hard workers they were perceived as a labor threat which led to many conflicts and regretul incidents prejudice, violence and injustice.

For the Chinese women it was worse - often brought here in slavery or under a variety of false pretenses, foot-binding and prostitution were common, suffering by Chinese woman was the norm, as immigration problems, drugs, corruption intertwined with the times and the 'powers that be' made life difficult to say the best.

Digital remastered from vintage 'snap shot',
on permanent exhibit at the U.S. District Courts, San Francisco

Image available through our World Wide Archive web galleries

Children's Playground, Golden Gate Park c1887

2011-01-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

Not far from these rather pastoral swings, with the air carrying the laughter of children were grizzly bears. Real, live bears in dark steel cages. Although safely, we all thought in these restraints, the sense of an exotic environment prevailed, rides on Elephants were popular, were for a nickle you could take a grand ride, for a moment pretend you were India, and have experience remembered for a lifetime.
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photographer unknown, possibly Taber from original albumen print
Collection of San Francisco Images / World Wide Archive.

references
Golden Gate Park's Children's Playground
http://www.outsidelands.org/swendsen3.php

Chinese in ceremonial costumes in Golden Gate Park c1880

2011-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite views in our collection by famed San Francisco photographer

W.C. Billington - Palm Avenue runs to the gate on the left. The gate is now gone but the pair of lions that were in front of it are still there although they may be copies. This is from an original Albumen print - also available in case you are interested in acquiring it on Ebay
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New Years sale today to Midnight - 25% OFF EVERYTHING

2011-01-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

Everything in our Web galleries is on sale today - 25% reduction

discount Code: NewYear

Fort Point viewing to golden Gate and Marin Headland, c1890

Fort Point was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1853 and 1861 to prevent entrance of a hostile fleet into San Francisco Bay during the Civil War. Between 1933 and 1937 the Fort was used as a base of operations for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Final Section of the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge, 1936

2011-01-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

Driving by the emerging tower of the new $6.3 Billion dollar Eastern Span New Years Eve, this image came to mind - which shows the imminent completion of the original bridge - at the time an engineering marvel. A fifty-foot section (just East of this view) collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, leading to the eventual construction of the new span.

Bay Bridge, Eastern Span Under Construction, March 22, 1936

Flickr Collection on the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island

The eastern portion of the Bay Bridge was, at 10,176’ long, the longest cantilever construction in the world at that time. This photo shows the last section of the span being fitted into place.

Wikipedia on the Bay Bridge Eastern Span Replacement
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available through World Wide Archive
original from the collection of the Oakland Public Library

New Years Ball coming down, Hyatt Regency, San Francisco

2011-01-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

The Intensity of Dance as the New Year Approaches

2010-12-31T15:43:00.000-08:00

Swirling lights illuminate a future with promise that remains unknown, the moment is what matters now, the world celebrates, the ball drops, fireworks explode, the Change is hoped for, the sound is deafening, we went all in this time. Memories last a lifetime.

Embarcadero Center, New Years Eve
San Francisco 1975
Hand-tinted gelatin Silver Print

New Years Day Rising

2010-12-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Last year's calender pages fly out windows in Financial District, covering the street like paper snow, crowds cheer, drink softens hard edges, trees are recycled and here comes another year as the winds blow through our concrete canyons
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"New Years Rising, 1976" 1/1
Hand-tinted gelatin silver print photograph © Bennett Hall

Montgomery and Market Street
Abandoned Christmas Tree, Montgomery BART station

San Francisco Images Collection - available framed pieces

2010-12-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

San Francisco photography - framed pieces for gifts, home or office

I am having a clearance on our current pieces in stock as we complete our shift to web galleries - these are the last of our collection and I am making them available at significant discounts (30-75%) - in many cases less than the wholesale value of the framing -

send me an email or call me at 415-434-8745 to make an appointment to come to the studio.

Photographs of San Francisco - all time favorites Slideshow

2010-09-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

click on notes for more information

San Francisco Images Web Galleries

Our photographs win Westin-San Francisco photo contest

2010-09-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Don't say you never win anything - two my classic shots of San Francisco Skyline won a photo contect for two premium room nights - time for a night out of the town!

Check out this link to Westin's Facebook site to see other winners, and learn more about the Starwood-Westin Hotels. They plan to make FB promotions an integral part of their marketing.

Facebook link for Westin San Francisco

To purchase this view as open edition print of this from our Web Gallery and see other San Francisco Images

Gate from Fort Point
during passing storm
hand-tinted black and white, 1/1, 8x10" view

Skyline from Alamo Square during passing storm
classic view yet hard to shoot- needs both hot light on city and dark clouds to separate skyline from East Bay Hills

Personal Favorite San Francisco Skyline Photograph

2010-08-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

View from Clipper Street headed up Twin Peaks
Photographed with 8x 10" view camera, color negative material, during passing storm
by Bennett Hall

Go to Court and learn about San Francisco History

2010-08-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Go to Court, Learn about local history?

That' right. Thanks to an innovative program started by Hon. Judge Breyer of the U.S. District Courts' 9th District in San Francisco, their jury room rooms, public corridors and selected chambers areas are adorned with restored historical photographs with educational narratives telling colorful stories of Bay Area History. The project began in 2002, and culminated this summer with the an installation covering three floors of the Oakland Federal building featuring Oakland, Alameda and Contra Costa County history. Lawyers, their clients, jurors, and visitors will learn about the transcontinental railroad, the Key system, University of Berkeley, development of agriculture, coal, logging and other industries, dynamite in Hercules, the "Detroit of the West", Liberty Ships, the Cyclotron, Lake Merritt, waterfront development, water systems, bridges, tunnels, warships, the Mission system and even Charlie Chaplin in Niles.

The program is located in the Bay Area's primary Federal Buildings, Clay Street Oakland, 2nd Street San Jose and 450 Golden Gate, San Francisco - showcasing a total of nearly 1,000 framed photographs. Each photograph was digitally restored from vintage materials from dozens of sources. Each view includes a caption and story illuminating aspects of our local heritage, providing an education experience with the Court experience. Te program was designed and produced by San Francisco photographer and artist, Bennett Hall and Helen Rischbieth of Business image Group, who worked in concert with the US District Court Judges in their respective areas, Hon. Judge Breyer, San Francisco, Hon. Judge Lloyd and Hon. Judge Seeborg, San Jose, and Hon. Judge Jensen in Oakland. Production was all done locally, including custom framing made in their San Francisco shop Eco Framing, the latest project employing U.S. grown and manufactured solid Cherry wood frame moulding made using FSC certified methods. An emphasis of producing this project in most 'carbon neutral manner possible was combined with using materials that were all made in America - two fundamentals advocated by Hall and Rischbieth's company.
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Blog: US District Courts - Oakland Federal Building
http://businessimagegroup.blogspot.com/2010/08/bay-area-wide-local-history-program-for.html

Website - overview of Bay Area US Courts Program
US District Courts, San Francisco Bay Area • Community History exhibits, 2002-2010
http://www.businessimagegroup.com/USCourts.html

Media
Contra Costa times / Montclairian
http://www.contracostatimes.com/montclarion/ci_15828606?nclick_check=1