- Vintage postcards of San Francisco from the last 150 years reveal the city's history from a unique perspective.
- The images show how San Francisco's population skyrocketed during the Gold Rush in 1848 then evolved to become a financial center and tourist destination.
- Postcards from the past also depict attractions and businesses that were once popular but have been lost to time.
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San Francisco is one of the most populous cities in the US, but it wasn't always that way. About 170 years ago, the city was relatively empty. Then the California Gold Rush led its population to balloon by a factor of 25 in a single year.
For the most part, the city has continued to grow ever since.
Vintage postcards from the last century and a half showcase this evolution. While some of the city's celebrated attractions, like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, are still around, others depicted in postcards have been lost to time.
Take a look at the popular San Francisco sites printed on postcards during each decade.