"Scene along 'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Scene along 'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Men pause a moment to watch, and then pass on." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Men pause a moment to watch, and then pass on." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Soldier: 'I go panhandling every night at bars and places. You wouldn't want a picture of that, it's just beggin'.'"  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Soldier: 'I go panhandling every night at bars and places. You wouldn't want a picture of that, it's just beggin'.'"  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Breakfast for his pal, bummed from a restaurant." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Breakfast for his pal, bummed from a restaurant." April 1939  "Mission District. San Francisco, California. Rent twenty to twenty-two dollars a month for three or four rooms." February 1936  "Mission District. San Francisco, California. Rent twenty to twenty-two dollars a month for three or four rooms." February 1936  "Longshoremen's lunch hour. San Francisco waterfront. California." February 1937  "Longshoremen's lunch hour. San Francisco waterfront. California." February 1937  "California shipyard workers. En route to the shipyards across the bay, tin-hatted San Francisco war workers have time for relaxation and discussion on the fourty-five minute ferry ride to the Richmond Shipbuilding Company yards." February 1943  "California shipyard workers. En route to the shipyards across the bay, tin-hatted San Francisco war workers have time for relaxation and discussion on the fourty-five minute ferry ride to the Richmond  "War housing needs. Crowds of homeseekers wait in line for housing information in every "boom town" war housing center. Like millions of Americans who have migrated to busy industrial areas, these newcomers to San Francisco are hoping for news that a house, a room, or even a bed will be made available for them before the day is over." February 1943  "War housing needs. Crowds of homeseekers wait in line for housing information in every "boom town" war housing center. Like millions of Americans who have migrated to busy industrial areas, these newcomers to  "War housing needs. Crowds of homeseekers wait in line for housing information in every "boom town" war housing center. Like millions of Americans who have migrated to busy industrial areas, these newcomers to San Francisco are hoping for news that a house, a room, or even a bed will be made available for them before the day is over." February 1943  "War housing needs. Crowds of homeseekers wait in line for housing information in every "boom town" war housing center. Like millions of Americans who have migrated to busy industrial areas, these newcomers to  "San Francisco, California. The Bank of America." May 1943  "San Francisco, California. The Bank of America." May 1943  "Women in essential services. Two women railroad workers enjoy a moment of relaxation from their new job in the yards of the Southern Pacific Company in San Francisco." February 1943  "Women in essential services. Two women railroad workers enjoy a moment of relaxation from their new job in the yards of the Southern Pacific Company in San Francisco." February 1943  "California shipyard workers. Eight hours of work in a Richmond, California shipyard find these two workers grateful for the calm and quiet of the ferry trip back to San Francisco." February 1943  "California shipyard workers. Eight hours of work in a Richmond, California shipyard find these two workers grateful for the calm and quiet of the ferry trip back to San Francisco." February 1943  "California shipyard workers. These shipbuilders enjoy a scenic ride to work every day aboard a special ferry going from San Francisco to the giant shipyards across the bay." February 1943  "California shipyard workers. These shipbuilders enjoy a scenic ride to work every day aboard a special ferry going from San Francisco to the giant shipyards across the bay." February 1943  "San Francisco, California. Bank of America victory bond ad." May 1943  "San Francisco, California. Bank of America victory bond ad." May 1943  "Women in essential services. Ruth Anderson, San Francisco's only woman radio news reporter, has entered a field formerly open only to men. A graduate of radio soap operas, Miss Anderson began her newscasts last October on a probational basis and has been editing, preparing and broadcasting reports on world news ever since." February 1943  "Women in essential services. Ruth Anderson, San Francisco's only woman radio news reporter, has entered a field formerly open only to men. A graduate of radio soap operas, Miss Anderson began her newscasts  "Victory Gardens--for family and country. Hopscotch has been supplanted by a new and serious game for these Girl Scouts--it's called Plant the Victory Garden. Like thousands of other school-age youngsters, Pat Nelson, Doris Laclair and Barbara Redford, all of San Francisco, are enthusiastic participants in the nation-wide Food for Victory campaign. Doris seems to be jumping the gun slightly, but at this stage cookies are more palatable than embryonic cabbages." March 1943  "Victory Gardens--for family and country. Hopscotch has been supplanted by a new and serious game for these Girl Scouts--it's called Plant the Victory Garden. Like thousands of other school-age youngsters, Pat  "Victory Gardens--for family and country. Guiding hand behind the establishment of many West coast Victory Gardens, Professor Harry Nelson of San Francisco's Junior College still finds time to give his ten-year-old daughter Pat (left) and her Girl Scout friends some pointers in transplanting young vegetables." March 1943  "Victory Gardens--for family and country. Guiding hand behind the establishment of many West coast Victory Gardens, Professor Harry Nelson of San Francisco's Junior College still finds time to give his  "San Francisco, California. Fisherman's wharf." March 1943  "San Francisco, California. Fisherman's wharf." March 1943  "Women in essential services. Women are employed as railroad workers by the Southern Pacific Company in San Francisco. With increasing numbers of men leaving their jobs for the armed forces, women are stepping into new and essential work vital to civilian life." February 1943  "Women in essential services. Women are employed as railroad workers by the Southern Pacific Company in San Francisco. With increasing numbers of men leaving their jobs for the armed forces, women are stepping  "Women in essential services. Formerly a salesgirl, librarian, and sixth-grade school teacher, Grace Northrup, of San Francisco, has been repairing and serving cars for the past six months. She's becoming an expert in this field once open only to men." February 1943  "Women in essential services. Formerly a salesgirl, librarian, and sixth-grade school teacher, Grace Northrup, of San Francisco, has been repairing and serving cars for the past six months. She's becoming an  "Waiting to enlist at recruiting headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Waiting to enlist at recruiting headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Stewardess aboard American airliner, making up an "upper" bunk. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Stewardess aboard American airliner, making up an "upper" bunk. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Chef in North Beach Italian restaurant. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Chef in North Beach Italian restaurant. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Sentry on guard at the Army transport dock. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Sentry on guard at the Army transport dock. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "USO (United Service Organizations) servicemen's club. Civic Center, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Red Cross headquarters. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Servicemen writing letters in reading room of USO (United Service Organizations) club. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Servicemen writing letters in reading room of USO (United Service Organizations) club. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Enlisting in the Marines. Recruiting office. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Enlisting in the Marines. Recruiting office. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "War poster on wall in Chinatown. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "War poster on wall in Chinatown. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Officer of transport searching for his identification. Transport dock, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Officer of transport searching for his identification. Transport dock, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Stewardess making up bunk aboard American airliner. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Stewardess making up bunk aboard American airliner. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, Monday morning, December 8, 1941, after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, Monday morning, December 8, 1941, after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, Monday morning, December 8, 1941, after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, Monday morning, December 8, 1941, after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Reading war news aboard streetcar. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Reading war news aboard streetcar. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Reading war news aboard streetcar. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Reading war news aboard streetcar. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Charcoal broiling steaks. North Beach Italian restaurant, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Charcoal broiling steaks. North Beach Italian restaurant, San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Fishermen gathered on 'Fisherman's Wharf.' San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Fishermen gathered on 'Fisherman's Wharf.' San Francisco, California." December 1941  "The shiftless and the curious came down on Monday morning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to see the loading of an Army transport bound for the Orient. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "The shiftless and the curious came down on Monday morning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to see the loading of an Army transport bound for the Orient. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army transport loading at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Fishermen gathered on Fisherman's Wharf, on December 8th, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Fishermen gathered on Fisherman's Wharf, on December 8th, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, San Francisco, California. Monday morning December 8, 1941, day after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor." December 1941  "Corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, San Francisco, California. Monday morning December 8, 1941, day after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor." December 1941  "Army sentries standing guard at transport dock one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army sentries standing guard at transport dock one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army sentries standing guard at transport dock one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Army sentries standing guard at transport dock one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "One man tin can band during blackout. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "One man tin can band during blackout. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Italian "North Beach" restaurant during blackout. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "Italian "North Beach" restaurant during blackout. San Francisco, California." December 1941  "San Francisco, California." April 1939  "San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Architecture in the Potrero district. San Francisco, California." August 1939  "Architecture in the Potrero district. San Francisco, California." August 1939  "The city of San Francisco, California. Seen from the first street ramp of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge." April 1939  "The city of San Francisco, California. Seen from the first street ramp of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge." April 1939  "Architecture in the Potrero district. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Architecture in the Potrero district. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Church in Potrero district where there is a 'Russian-White' colony. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Church in Potrero district where there is a 'Russian-White' colony. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Note on modern architecture and home building. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Note on modern architecture and home building. San Francisco, California." April 1939  "San Francisco, California." April 1939  "San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. At Minna Street the army forms a semi-circle and sings to attract a crowd." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. At Minna Street the army forms a semi-circle and sings to attract a crowd." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Return of the army seen through the lobby of a low-class hotel. Causes slight attention." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Return of the army seen through the lobby of a low-class hotel. Causes slight attention." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Street scene as the army began to sing." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Street scene as the army began to sing." April 1939  "At Minna Street the army forms a semi-circle and sings to attract a crowd. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "At Minna Street the army forms a semi-circle and sings to attract a crowd. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Girls' Sunday school class sings between preaching." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Girls' Sunday school class sings between preaching." April 1939  "'Power of the Lord' preaching by a 'soldier' saved twelve years before, and with army ever since. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "'Power of the Lord' preaching by a 'soldier' saved twelve years before, and with army ever since. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Breakfast for his pal, bummed from a restaurant." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Breakfast for his pal, bummed from a restaurant." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Unemployed young men pause a moment to loiter and watch, and then pass on." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Unemployed young men pause a moment to loiter and watch, and then pass on." April 1939  "April. The city of San Francisco, California. Seen from the first street ramp of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge." April 1939  "April. The city of San Francisco, California. Seen from the first street ramp of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge." April 1939  "Adjutant and his wife sing. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Adjutant and his wife sing. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Solo. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Solo. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Sedan service to Los Angeles on share the expense basis." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. In the neighborhood where the Salvation Army operates. Sedan service to Los Angeles on share the expense basis." April 1939  "Solo. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Solo. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Exhortation." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Exhortation." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Army contributes first to the tambourine (two dollars), outside contribution about seventy-five cents, all from drunks and the like." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Army contributes first to the tambourine (two dollars), outside contribution about seventy-five cents, all from drunks and the like." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Preaching Salvation. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Preaching Salvation. Salvation Army, San Francisco, California." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Self-denial. Each member of the army is a quota, and chooses means of self-denial by which he saves his quota." April 1939  "Salvation Army, San Francisco, California. Self-denial. Each member of the army is a quota, and chooses means of self-denial by which he saves his quota." April 1939  "San Francisco, California. After forty-four years of Republican administration, California gets a Democratic administration. The California 'New Deal' faces same opposition as the national 'New Deal.'" January 1939  "San Francisco, California. After forty-four years of Republican administration, California gets a Democratic administration. The California 'New Deal' faces same opposition as the national 'New Deal.'" January  "In front of city hall, San Francisco, California. The Worker's Alliance, Works Progress Administration (WPA) organize simultaneous demonstrations in the large cities of the nation cut in the relief appropriation by the United States Congress." February 1939  "In front of city hall, San Francisco, California. The Worker's Alliance, Works Progress Administration (WPA) organize simultaneous demonstrations in the large cities of the nation cut in the relief  "Listening to speeches at mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers protesting congressional cut of relief appropriations. San Francisco, California." February 1939  "Listening to speeches at mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers protesting congressional cut of relief appropriations. San Francisco, California." February 1939  "City officials hear the speeches made at mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers protesting cut in relief appropriation. In front of city hall, San Francisco, California." February 1939  "City officials hear the speeches made at mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers protesting cut in relief appropriation. In front of city hall, San Francisco, California." February 1939  "Mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers parading up Market Street. San Francisco, California. The meeting was held in protest to cuts make by Congress in relief appropriations." February 1939  "Mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers parading up Market Street. San Francisco, California. The meeting was held in protest to cuts make by Congress in relief appropriations." February  "Mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers parading up Market Street. San Francisco, California. The meeting was held in protest to cuts make by Congress in relief appropriations." February 1939  "Mass meeting of Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers parading up Market Street. San Francisco, California. The meeting was held in protest to cuts make by Congress in relief appropriations." February  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. They will receive from six to fifteen dollars per week for up to sixteen weeks. Coincidental with the announcement that the federal unemployment census showed close to ten million persons out of work, twenty-two states begin paying unemployment compensation." January 1938  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. They will receive from six to fifteen dollars per week for up to sixteen weeks. Coincidental with the announcement that the federal unemployment census showed close to ten million persons out of work, twenty-two states begin paying unemployment compensation." January 1938  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. They will receive from six to fifteen dollars per week for up to sixteen weeks. Coincidental with the announcement that the federal unemployment census showed close to ten million persons out of work, twenty-two states begin paying unemployment compensation." January 1938  "Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office  "Lilac Street, Mission District. Rent fifteen dollars a month for three rooms. San Francisco, California." February 1938  "Lilac Street, Mission District. Rent fifteen dollars a month for three rooms. San Francisco, California." February 1938  "News of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. San Francisco, California." November 1938  "News of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. San Francisco, California." November 1938  San Francisco man reading news of surrender of Canton to Japanese. San Francisco, California. November 1938  San Francisco man reading news of surrender of Canton to Japanese. San Francisco, California. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, men read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, men read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, men read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, men read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, people read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  In front of the local paper of San Francisco's Chinatown, people read news of the surrender of Canton to the Japanese. November 1938  "Unemployed men on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Unemployed men on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Unemployed men on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Unemployed men on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Howard Street in San Francisco, known as "Skid Row," the district of the unemployed." February 1937  "Howard Street in San Francisco, known as "Skid Row," the district of the unemployed." February 1937  "Striking longshoremen during the waterfront strike in San Francisco, California." March 1937  "Striking longshoremen during the waterfront strike in San Francisco, California." March 1937  "A political problem before the voters of San Francisco, California." March 1937  "A political problem before the voters of San Francisco, California." March 1937  "Signboards in San Francisco, California." March 1937  "Signboards in San Francisco, California." March 1937  "The interview for unemployment compensation. San Francisco, California." January 1938  "The interview for unemployment compensation. San Francisco, California." January 1938  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Employment office on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Employment office on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Howard Street, called 'Skid Row,' the street of the unemployed in San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Howard Street, called 'Skid Row,' the street of the unemployed in San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Employment agency on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Employment agency on Howard Street. San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, the street of the unemployed in San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, the street of the unemployed in San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California." February 1937  "Slums of San Francisco, California." June 1935  "Slums of San Francisco, California." June 1935  "Card Alley. North Beach District (Italians). San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Card Alley. North Beach District (Italians). San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Mission District. San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Mission District. San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Mission District. San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Mission District. San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Backyard. North Beach District (Italians). San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Backyard. North Beach District (Italians). San Francisco, California." February 1936  "Street meeting. San Francisco, California." August 1936  "Street meeting. San Francisco, California." August 1936  "Employment agency. San Francisco." February 1937  "Employment agency. San Francisco." February 1937  "Unemployed men sitting on the sunny side of the San Francisco Public Library. California." February 1937  "Unemployed men sitting on the sunny side of the San Francisco Public Library. California." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California. The hock shop." February 1937  "'Skid Row.' Howard Street, San Francisco, California. The hock shop." February 1937  "On the sun side of the shed. Transient men, San Francisco, California."  "On the sun side of the shed. Transient men, San Francisco, California."  "San Francisco, California. Entrance to the Bank of America." May 1943  "San Francisco, California. Entrance to the Bank of America." May 1943  "San Francisco, California. Inside view of the Bank of America." May 1943  "San Francisco, California. Inside view of the Bank of America." May 1943
The Great Depression was a dark chapter in American history for many. After the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing bank runs and cutoffs in investment, unemployment reached a peak of 25 percent, upending the lives of many and turning stable families into roving migrant workers.