Oakland Wharf, from Powell and California Streets, San Francisco, California 1870 - 1876

J. J. Reilly created this stereograph, titled "Oakland Wharf, from Powell and California Streets, San Francisco, California" sometime in the late 19th century. This was a period of intense growth and transformation for San Francisco. The gold rush had changed the landscape forever, and the city was quickly becoming a major port and economic hub. The photograph offers us a glimpse into this rapidly changing urban environment. We see a city on the rise, a cityscape dotted with churches, and ships visible in the harbor, all symbols of progress and prosperity. But the image also prompts us to consider what is not shown, such as the displacement of native populations, or the labor that fueled this economic expansion. Stereographs like this were popular forms of entertainment and documentation, providing a window into distant places and events. What kind of a window did Reilly want to create? Who was this photograph intended for? How might it have shaped their understanding of the city and its place in the world? It reminds us that every image, every representation, is shaped by the perspective and the intentions of its creator.