Welcome to the State of California

Photos and Film: Old and New

  • Before and After the Great Earthquake and Fire - Library of Congress, American Memory
    View 26 films of San Francisco taken from 1897 - 1916, for a before and after look at San Francisco. These films can be viewed in the mpeg format.
  • California Heritage - Bancroft Library, University of California
    See over 30,000 images illustrating California's history and culture.
  • California Photo Collection - Los Angeles Public Library
    Use the library's database to search this extensive photo collection.
  • Historic Photographs - California State Archives
    Find out about the huge collection of historic photographs in the State Archives.
  • Historic Photos - State Library
    Browse a collection of historical daguerreotypes, posters, advertisements, portraits, and maps. Also includes a collection of Mexican War prints, stereographs, and 19th century sheet music.
  • Historical Photographs - San Francisco Public Library
    Search the library's catalog to find photos in their large collection.
  • Historical Photographs of Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz Public Library
    Search through The Santa Cruz Public Libraries' Photograph Collection which contains more than 1000 local history photographs, dating from the 1860s to the 1990s.
  • Image Archives of Santa Monica - Santa Monica Public Library
    Search the Image Archive for historic photographs of Santa Monica and the surrounding areas.
  • Images of California - California Travel & Tourism Commission
    Enjoy a changing collection of images from around the Golden State.