In 2020, David Gallagher, who runs SF Memory, opened a cabinet found abandoned in San Francisco’s Mission District, somewhere around Tiffany and Duncan streets. Inside were 920 Kodachrome slides by a then unknown photographer capturing life in the city throughout the 1960s. They show us the construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and the subway below Market Street, street scenes, a fire crew in space-age silver suits, a large white rabbit, swimming in Fleishhacker Pool (the public saltwater complex closed in 1971) and more.
They’re a treasure trove. But what stood out to us are the Kodachromes of people seen from behind. We’ve been here before, with Billy Parrott’s photo album of people seen from behind. And once again the mystery remains.
SF Airport Mar 1966 Airport Fire Department drill
The story grew after the San Francisco Chronicle picked up the story and a local named Ted Martin identified the images as those of his late father, James A. Martin, a teacher who died in 2019. James “loved San Francisco,” said Ted. “He lived here his entire life, all 90 years. He was a big sports fan: Giants, Warriors, 49ers. He worked hard. He did his day job and then did night school and other things for extra money.”
Says Gallagher: “Working with the San Francisco Public Library’s History Center and Photo Curator Christina Moretta, I brokered an agreement between the library, Ted Martin, Donnie Weaver, and myself to donate the slides, scans, copyright, and metadata to the library, so that the public will have a greater opportunity to see and access the material.”
There are two more cabinets of James’ work still to be found. As Gallagher says: “I am extremely happy to be able to share what we have of James Martin’s work but I doubt the public will ever see the rest of it.” For now, you can see more San Francisco 1960s Kodachrome photos at SF Memory.
Market & Powell Oct 1967 Bart Construction, Market Street, view northeast on Market from Powell, north side of street is blocked, pedestrians, Muni J-Church streetcar 1029 and 8-Market trolley bus 786 passing the Emporium
SF Airport Jan 1966 Restaurant scene, man in suit sitting at table eating a strawberry sundae, United Airlines aircraft visible through window
SF Airport Jan 1966 United Maintenance, Two men sitting at large unknown console
Unknown Location Nov 1967 Bart Construction, Alameda County, men in suits examining tunnel entrance
Unknown Location Oct 1966 Man demonstrating a voting machine set up for the forthcoming Novemeber 1966 election, pointing to the governor race Pat Brown vs Ronald Reagan
19th near Folsom Oct 1966 Fire Department Training Tower, 19th Street between Folsom and Shotwell, ladder drills
Hall of Justice Sep 1966 Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant, hallway outside District Attorney John Ferdon’s office
Unknown Location Aug 1966 Department of Public Health, inside examine room, nurse in pink sweater with back to camera
Bryant near 7th Aug 1966 CA Highway Patrol Headquarters, Bryant between 7th & 8th Streets
City Hall Apr 1966 Taxpayers, payment counter ,
Larkin & Grove Apr 1966 Planning Department, 100 Larkin, the former USO Hospitality House
SF Airport Mar 1966 Coast Guard aircraft cockpit
Market near Clayton Jan 1966 auto accident
San Francisco 1960s Kodachrome: SF Airport Jan 1966 Control Tower Interior, air traffic controllers, view east toward SF Bay
SF Airport Jan 1966 Coast Guard airplane, Operator sitting at large control panel
Post Office Dec 1965 Unknown Location, Post Office, postal workers sorting mail into cubby holes
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