Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Victorian Years
The city's real boom years occurred during the second
half of the 19th century, when some San Franciscans made
huge fortunes from the silver mines of Nevada's Comstock
Lode, and from the transcontinental railroad, completed
in 1869. Saloons and brothels abounded along the
waterfront in the legendary Barbary Coast district, while
the wealthy built palaces at the top of Nob Hill. As the
city expanded, its streets were lined by ornate Victorian
houses, and by the turn of the century, the population
topped 300,000, making it the largest city west of Chicago.
Extent of the City
Today
1870
Bathroom with original
bathtub and tiles
The dining room
was
used for family meals
and formal dinners.
Silver Urn
Presented to Senator
Edward Baker in 1860,
this urn celebrated
future San Francisco
business projects,
particularly the
transcontinental
railroad.
Supper room
in basement
Barbary Coast Saloon
Gambling and prostitution were rife in
the Barbary Coast, and drunken men
were often pressed into naval service.
The second parlor
was a private sitting
room for the family.
The front
parlor
was used only
for entertaining.
1856
Increasing lawlessness:
vigilantes hang four men
1862
First telegraph
connection
between New York
and San Francisco
1869
Transcontinental railroad
completed, making fortunes for
the infamous “Big Four”
(see p104)
1873
Levi Strauss
patents process for
making riveted
jeans
(see p137)
1850
1860
1870
Emperor
Norton
(died 1880)
1854
Local eccentric, Joshua
Norton, proclaims himself
Emperor of the United States
and Protector of Mexico,
issuing his own currency
1863
Ground is broken
in Sacramento for the
Central Pacific Railroad;
thousands of Chinese
are hired to build it
1873
First San
Francisco cable car is
tested on Clay Street