World War II is undoubtedly a dramatic and defining point in history. These photos are engaging and gripping because it shows the ever-changing and unpredictable effects of life during war. We have found rare photos and video footage that will take you to a different time in San Francisco. As we approach the New Year, let’s remember to learn from our past as we look ahead to our future.
- Downtown San Francisco: 1945
Found SF Historical Archive This photo shows the crowds celebrating the end of World War II in downtown San Francisco.
- Haight Street: 1944
FoundSF.org Historical Archive Haight Street, between Ashbury and Clayton, looking west, in 1944. Haight Street would eventually become the center of the Summer of Love in the 1960s.
- Golden Gate Bridge: 1943
Creative Commons/Wikipedia The USS San Francisco passing under the Golden Gate Bridge in 1942 during World War II. The iconic bridge has figured into many historical photos of Fog City.
- Hunters Point: 1943
Found SF Historical Archive A workday during World War II in Hunters Point. This photo was taken on June 26, 1943, and shows workers dining in a cafeteria at Hunters Point. Before the tech boom, San Francisco was the nation’s premier shipbuilding and repair center.
- Treasure Island: 1944
Nathan Hughes Hamilton/Flickr A beautiful and calm picture during a tumultuous time. This photo is taken at Treasure Island. In the distance, beyond the ship, is the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Duboce and Market: August 14, 1943
FoundSF Historical Archive Food shortages during World War II in San Francisco led to the creation of the San Francisco Farmers Market. Today, farmers markets are still vital and incredibly popular among San Francisco residents and visitors.
- Plane over Golden Gate Bridge: 1944
Tom Wigley/Flickr This photo shows the Martin XPB2M-1R Mars plane flying over the Bay.
- Market Street Celebration: August 18. 1945
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library / Found SF War is over, giving plenty of reason to celebrate on Market Street. This photo is taken at the intersection of Market and Mason.
- Market Street: 1945
Richard Bauer/Flickr Today, Market Street is full of cars, but back then the cable and street cars were the dominant form of transportation.
- Chinatown: 1945
Army.arch/Flickr One of the oldest Chinatowns during World War II. This photo of Chinatown dates from 1945 and shows the growing neighborhood during a dramatic period in history.
- San Francisco/Redwood City: September 2, 1945
This video clip provided by Jeff Quitney shows footage during and after wartime in San Francisco.
Found SF Historical Archive
This photo shows the crowds celebrating the end of World War II in downtown San Francisco.
FoundSF.org Historical Archive
Haight Street, between Ashbury and Clayton, looking west, in 1944. Haight Street would eventually become the center of the Summer of Love in the 1960s.
Creative Commons/Wikipedia
The USS San Francisco passing under the Golden Gate Bridge in 1942 during World War II. The iconic bridge has figured into many historical photos of Fog City.
A workday during World War II in Hunters Point. This photo was taken on June 26, 1943, and shows workers dining in a cafeteria at Hunters Point. Before the tech boom, San Francisco was the nation’s premier shipbuilding and repair center.
Nathan Hughes Hamilton/Flickr
A beautiful and calm picture during a tumultuous time. This photo is taken at Treasure Island. In the distance, beyond the ship, is the Golden Gate Bridge.
FoundSF Historical Archive
Food shortages during World War II in San Francisco led to the creation of the San Francisco Farmers Market. Today, farmers markets are still vital and incredibly popular among San Francisco residents and visitors.
Tom Wigley/Flickr
This photo shows the Martin XPB2M-1R Mars plane flying over the Bay.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library / Found SF
War is over, giving plenty of reason to celebrate on Market Street. This photo is taken at the intersection of Market and Mason.
Richard Bauer/Flickr
Today, Market Street is full of cars, but back then the cable and street cars were the dominant form of transportation.
Army.arch/Flickr
One of the oldest Chinatowns during World War II. This photo of Chinatown dates from 1945 and shows the growing neighborhood during a dramatic period in history.
For more historic San Francisco, check out these 10 Historic Neighborhoods In San Francisco That Will Take You Back In Time.
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