This “then and now” historical photo pairs a lively city street scene with the stark aftermath of a major fire, highlighting how quickly an iconic neighborhood can change. In the modern half, cable cars glide along the tracks beside busy sidewalks and storefronts, capturing the everyday rhythm of tourism and urban life.
In the older half, the same corridor appears scarred by disaster, with rubble piled along the roadside and a haze hanging over distant buildings. A few small figures move through the damaged streets, underscoring the scale of destruction and the uneasy calm that follows an emergency.
The title points to the Fairmont Hotel—still standing on the outside in this moment, yet destroyed within by the fires—making this image a powerful snapshot of survival and loss. It’s a compelling comparison for readers interested in vintage photography, historic city landmarks, and the enduring resilience of a famous hotel and the streets around it.