Buggies, steering wheels, and Gramophones...we've come a long way with our innovations. San Francisco is all about showing off our gadgets. This week, we peruse some of the necessities of yesteryear as presented in some wonderful old-school ads. From carriage-makers to Asian "fancy goods" to beer, here are some of the best plugs, reminiscent of simpler times.
1852: Mrs. J. Wheelock, Paris and New York Fashions via A.W. Morgan & Co.'s city directory, September 1852
Now with the ability to see Fashion Week from all around the world on an immediate basis, it's quaint to remember that, back in 1852, the latest fashions from New York and Paris arrived to SF via clipper ship and steamer. Seen here is an ad for the trends of the time at Mrs. J. Wheelock's store, located approximately where Fitness SF Embarcadero is today.
▲ 1854: Bonstell & Williston, Books and Stationery via Wide West
San Franciscans have always been about their books. In 1854, the Bonestell & Williston store was selling novels, student textbooks, fancy stationery, plays, and more. The previous year , the duo had established Wide West , a literary Sunday paper.
▲ 1864-1865: A. Searls & Co. Carriage Manufactory via San Francisco business directory and mercantile guide
From buggies to self-driving cars, there was a time where an ad for a carriage maker would have been de rigueur in an SF business directory. Today, we whiz by the 1864 buggie store, A. Searls and Co., who neighbors today would have included Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Bank of America on Market and Front.
▲ 1881: Jesse & Drew Stair Builders, Robert Bragg Steering Wheels via Langley's San Francisco Directory
These ads were so reflective of the times that they needed to be shown together. The first is G.R. Jesse and H.M. Drew's stair building company; located in what is now Mission Bay. The steering wheel manufacturer was somewhere between the two Infinity towers on Main Street.
▲ 1898: Sherman, Clay, & Co’s, Piano and Music House via San Francisco Call
Originally founded as A. A. Rosenberg in 1853, Sherman, Clay & Co. (est. 1870) sold pianos, sheet music, and other musical instruments. In 1898, they advertised the gramophone, a predecessor to the modern record player. The company managed to stay open for over 140 years, but finally shut down in 2013 .
▲ 1900: H. Diener, Housemover via Crocker-Langley San Francisco directory
In 1900, H. Diener touted its service of literally raising and moving your house to an all new location. The company was located at 2120 Market Street, on the same block as Swedish American Hall and Blackbird today.
▲ 1905: Quong Wing Tai & Company, Chinese and Japanese Fancy Goods via San Francisco blue book
Vision First Eye Care stands where Quong Wing Tai & Company once did in 1905. The Kearny Street store sold various imported Chinese and Japanese goods, and was owned by several stockholders .
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