I Love You, California Photochroms

Photochrom series day! California, c. 1900.

From the Library of Congress.

Library of Congress

Alcatraz and the Golden Gate (long before the Bridge), San Francisco. Source

Library of Congress

Glacier Point and South Dome, Yosemite. Source

Library of Congress

Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena. Source

San Francisco Earthquake

Today, in 1906, a massive earthquake devastated San Francisco. These photographs are a vivid view of the incredible and frightening destruction. 

From the collections of the Southern Methodist University, Central University Libraries.

Van Ness Avenue at Vallejo St. Source

O'Farrell St. from Stockton. Source

The Corner of 7th and Natoma. Source

Where Little Cable Cars...

I was lucky enough to visit San Francisco the other month-- and oh, what a wonderful city! The very best, though, are those cable cars-- worth the hype and more! Everyone should visit the city, and take a ride. 

The title, by the way, is a reference to the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennett: "where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars..."

These photos of cable cars are from 1947; only the people aboard look different today!

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Turning the car around at the end of the line. Source

They push it manually while it turns-- even today! Source

Aerial view of the turntable. Source

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Romance in Wartime San Francisco

I'm always a sucker for the wartime romances. Today, San Francisco, World War Two-- certainly a time to be a woman. ;) 1943, photographer Meith Hagel for LIFE. 

A woman with her sailor and two soldiers on the street. Source

A present for a girlfriend. Source

Trying out a replica gun at a museum? Or something? Source

And one-on-one... Source

Feeding the pigeons with the boys. Source

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Sitting around. Source

Evening dalliances. Source

Showing off the harmonica skills (how cuuute is he?). Source

Many admirers. Source

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Many, many. Source

With girlfriends in the evening. Source

Dancing. Source

I'm  not sure what's with that backgound... Source

Drinks or such like. Source

More seated flirtation. Source

A flower for the girlfriend. Source

Trying to figure out how to put it on. Source

Awwww. Source

A kiss, caught in too much flash. Source

On an unrelated note-- this blog is now over 50,000 page views!!! Wow!!! You all are terrific!!!