140 years ago, the lights were turned on in San Francisco for the first time

140 years ago, the lights were turned on in San Francisco for the first time

July 4, 1876 was the grandest day San Francisco had ever seen. For weeks, the city prepared for the young nation's centennial. They draped American flags and bunting on every doorway and balcony in town. In glowing terms, the San Francisco Bulletin reported that huge paintings of Revolutionary War heroes were placed in "conspicuous places here, there and everywhere."

sfgate.com