There’s something incredible about looking back at old photos of Northern California in its early days. It’s no secret that California was one of the most rapidly changing states in the country, and a lot of change is still occurring in various parts of the state. That makes these vintage photos even more incredible to look at. You’re bound to be surprised about how much has changed since these photographs were first taken in the 1900s, and even more surprised by the few places that have stayed the same.
This photograph of the State Capitol Building's exterior in Sacramento was taken circa 1900-1920. The town itself has definitely changed over the decades, but the Capitol Building, constructed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, has always been simply picturesque.
It's not very often you see pictures of this region without the iconic Golden Gate Bridge! This photograph of the entrance to Golden Gate and Angel Island was taken circa 1900.
The Vallejo mansion is a popular tourist attraction in Sonoma. It's crazy to think that today you can tour the same mansion that is pictured here, looking stately as ever in 1903.
The silhouettes of jagged, rocky peaks are visible in the background as the moonlight shines on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. This photo is circa 1900-1902.
This shot looks pretty familiar if you ask me. This iconic view of the Yosemite Valley is one of the few things that seems to have stayed the same over the past century. This photograph was taken sometime in between 1850 and 1930.
It's good to know our waterfalls have always been things of splendor. In this shot, the beautiful Nevada Falls creates a giant cloud of mist as it plunges down the side of a cliff. This photo is circa 1900-1930.
Today, Sutter's Creek is a relaxing getaway destination in the heart of California's Gold Country. This is an amazing shot of the area and the historical mine sites in Coloma, circa 1915.
