Category: Then & Now
Compare history with the present in fascinating “Then and Now” photo pairs. See how cities, landmarks, and people changed over time.
These visual contrasts show the beauty of transformation and the persistence of heritage.
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#6 Sacramento and Miller Facing East
This “Then & Now” view looks east from the intersection of Sacramento and Miller, blending a historical street photograph into the present-day scene. The steep grade, the long corridor of buildings, and the distant skyline create a dramatic perspective that immediately anchors the image in an unmistakably urban streetscape.
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#22 Two girls stand before the partially destroyed Sharon Building in Golden Gate Park while students work on their art projects inside.
This striking “then and now” image captures the Sharon Building in Golden Gate Park, pairing a historical scene with a modern view of the same stone façade, arched windows, and balcony railings. The contrast is immediate: part of the roof and upper structure appears damaged in the older photo layer, while the contemporary building glows…
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#38 The Ferry Building withstood its test surprisingly well, considering the treacherous land it sits on.
This historical “then and now” image centers on San Francisco’s Ferry Building, its iconic clock tower rising above the Embarcadero waterfront. The scene juxtaposes a largely monochrome streetscape with selective color details—most notably the bright orange streetcar—drawing the eye to the daily movement of transit and pedestrians in front of the landmark.
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#54 A lost dog watches a military unit from the US Navy’s cutter Bear assemble for duty at Bush Street and Jones Street while a woman goes about her day.
A small, shaggy dog sits in the street as a long line of uniformed sailors assembles across the intersection of Bush Street and Jones Street. Rendered in a striking then-and-now blend, the historic figures appear in black and white against today’s sunlit buildings, traffic lights, and curb cuts, creating a vivid contrast between past and…
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#70 Nothing but the steel trucks of the cable cars remain after intense fires burned through California St. between Polk St. and Larkin St.
This striking then-and-now image looks down California Street between Polk Street and Larkin Street, blending a historic post-fire scene with a modern streetscape. In the older view, the corridor is stripped to rubble and ash, with only scorched masonry and open lots stretching into the distance.
