Oldsf.org is a new website that launched recently, offering users a chance to browse through photos, by location, from the San Francisco Public Library’s San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection.
Site creators Dan Vanderkam and Raven Keller assigned locations to – or geocoded as the techies call it – roughly 65% of the library’s 40,000 historical images.
The end result is an easy to use website that is a ton of fun to browse, offering visitors a trip down the streets of old San Francisco. The photos date as far back as 1850.
As the creators write on their website, “Its goal is to help you discover the history behind the places you see every day.”
There are a lot of images from the Richmond District ranging from simple street views to groups of images that capture a neighborhood landmark throughout the decades, like the Richmond District branch library. They have over 100 photos of Sutro Baths.
Click a dot on the map and you see a preview of the photo or photos on the right sidebar. Click on any thumbnail to expand it. One more click and you’ll head over to the full listing for the photo on the SF Public Library’s website. The site also features a timeline slider – move it back and forth to narrow or expand the results on the map.
I came across a lot of photos of the Richmond District I had never seen before, including several within a few blocks of my house. I especially love the early photos of the district when there was more sand than buildings. You quickly see why they called it the Outside Lands.
Check out oldsf.org – you’ll definitely have some “Aha!” moments as you look back on our early years.
Sarah B.
Group of people swimming at one of Sutro Baths pools | April 12, 1935
Streetcar on Clement Street near 12th Avenue | July 12, 1927
Point Lobos Avenue and 43rd, Dick’s Saloon, 1890
Great site! I’ll be spending a bit of time looking it all over. Love old photos.
This is so cool!
I think the photo of 12th and Clement is great… I think I spy the current Linen Outlet building on the right hand side of the photo, am I right?
@Rachel – Yes, I think that’s the linens store building too. Can’t believe the lack of buildings! 🙂
Sarah B.
This site is amazing! A huge thanks to the creators for pulling this together.
Yes that’s the Linen Outlet. And, that billboard today will be completely filled with graffiti.
Pre-Gillon Lumber http://goo.gl/2OaZz In fact, anyone remember Gillon Lumber?
I love that in 1927 we could have a rail car out to the Richmond but in 2011 merchants are against it. Kind of sad and yet hilarious.