6 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In Northern California In The Early 1900s

Seeing a historic photo of a place we all know can really bring history to life. Although California is a relatively young state, the state has experienced many changes over the years.

California boomed during the Gold Rush that started in 1848. People from all over the world rushed to the state to pan for gold after hearing stories of miners striking it rich. With all the new money, many businesses and communities were founded in Northern California, many exist to this day.

These historical photos show what Northern California looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For some historical reference: William McKinely was president in 1900-1901, followed by Theodore Roosevelt, then William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson for the first quarter of the 20th century.

Take a step back in time and check out this old photos of Northern California:

San Francisco, CA, USA

National Park Service

This colored image shows the Cliff House in San Francisco next to Ocean Beach. This Victorian-era building was constructed in 1896 after a fire destroyed the original one-story building. This 8-story castle-like structure had dining, dancing, and entertainment. The building survived the 1906 earthquake but was destroyed the following year in a fire.

1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

Internet Archive Book Image's photostream/Flickr

Completed between 1861 and 1874, the seat of California’s government in Sacramento is built in Neoclassical style. The Capitol is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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San Francisco, CA, USA

John Parrott/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

Buildings lay in ruins after the 1906 earthquake rocked the city. This image of Post and Grant Avenue shows some of the devastation in the downtown area.

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Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA

bauhaus1000/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

This picture of Chinatown ran in a newspaper near the turn of the century.

Scotia, CA 95565, USA

California State Library

Scotia was developed in the 1880s and quickly became a major logging town. Today the Scotia Museum features artifacts and exhibits that provide a window into the town's past.

101 Maple St, Auburn, CA 95603, USA

City of Auburn California website

This beautiful courthouse is in a similar style to the California State Capitol in Sacramento. You can tour this courthouse, as well as the Placer County Museum located on the first floor. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Are you a California history buff? What is your favorite early California history fact? Tell us in the comments.