Film of Steam Locomotives on the Embarcadero, San Francisco, circa 1920s-30s

Came across this file randomly while browsing the Prelinger Archive, which I haven't done in a while. The footage of longshoremen jockeying cargo on and off ships is a swift check on romanticism and a concrete reminder that, even long ago, industry on a mass scale was what drove almost all of our activity.

I logged a few of the bits that really stood out to me:

• 3:00 - Steam locomotives navigating Market Street, and cruising along the Embarcardero.
• 5:00 - Cool aerial footage; Ferry Building with street cars on a circular track in front and a heavy rail locomotive waiting (loading?) on the left; Golden Gate Ferries.
• 6:50 - I believe this is a quick shot of Dolores Street.
• 7:40 - Funky, animated relief maps of the area and trade routes, points of interest.
• 8:55 - Aerial footage of downtown, City Hall and Golden Gate Park.
• 10:45 - Aerial of the western side of the city; Golden Gate Park, including the bandshell area.

Related book: Historic Photos of San Francisco
From Amazon
From Powell's

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