Converting Old Photos To Digital Keeps San Francisco Landmark Fresh
A Historical Look At Lombard Street
Quick! What’s the “crookedest” road you know?
That would be Lombard Street in San Francisco. Few streets, if any, could compete with this quirky yet beautiful novelty of northern California. The crooked part is made up of eight switchbacks that help drivers navigate the hill’s very steep, 27-degree slope. It’s located in the Russian Hill neighborhood.
The residential, red brick-paved street is a popular draw for tourists, drivers and pedestrians alike. With so many people taking in this attraction, the Web is brimming with all sorts of Lombard Street photos. But do you ever wonder what it looked like years ago?
Luckily, the San Francisco Public Library has cataloged black and white images from the 1970s. It scanned these photos to digital and posted them online to preserve the street’s history for future generations.
Lombard Street is actually longer than the scenic hill it’s known for, but the famous part runs between Hyde and Leavenworth. The sharp curves were created in 1922.
On any given day, drivers wait their turn to steer their cars down the one-way hill. It’s a short but gorgeous drive, full of well-manicured shrubs, impeccable flower beds and stately Victorian homes. Despite the nonstop traffic and tourists, these houses are highly coveted and quite pricey.
Spring is the best time to visit and appreciate the blooming flora. Photographers claim the street is best viewed and shot from the bottom of the hill. If you prefer to shoot with film, do scan your pictures to digital to keep them safe and make it easier to share with others.
Lombard Street is as synonymous with the city of San Francisco as Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s worth at least two trips – one on foot, the other behind the wheel. Just make sure to get your brakes checked first. You’ll need them.
Tags: photos to digital