This “Then & Now” historical photo looks west on Market Street from New Montgomery Street, blending a vintage streetscape with the modern city in a single frame. The view pulls your eye down the corridor of tall buildings, where ornate early architecture and familiar street infrastructure meet today’s sidewalks and transit.
In the older portion of the scene, the street is lined with heavy masonry facades, pedestrians in period clothing, and even horse-drawn traffic, with piles of rubble and damaged walls suggesting a moment of upheaval and rebuilding. Decorative cornices, arched windows, and a domed landmark in the distance give this stretch of downtown a distinctly historic character.
The contemporary overlay brings in present-day cues like a city bus, traffic lights, and people paused at the corner, emphasizing how Market Street has evolved while remaining a vital urban artery. It’s a striking comparison for anyone interested in San Francisco history, vintage street photography, and the changing skyline around Market and New Montgomery.