New San Francisco

While chaos and lawlessness ruled much of the area, San Francisco was a shining example of prosperity with its robust economy and exploding population. In 1846, it was just a smallish settlement, occupied by roughly 200 residents. But by 1852, the peak of the Gold Rush, it had evolved into a booming town of roughly 36,000 people.  

The above photo shows Montgomery Street, which sits roughly on the former shoreline of Yerba Buena Cove. It was filled in during the Gold Rush years to create more land.