Mission Dolores 320 Dolores Street Built 1782-1791

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdalton

Mission Dolores was founded on June 29, 1776 under the direction of Father Junipero Serra.  It is the oldest original Mission in California and the oldest structure in San Francisco.

Old St. Mary's Church 660 California Street Built in 1909

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdalton

In 1850, San Francisco became a part of a newly formed Monterey diocese.  San Francisco became the headquarters and in 1854 the construction of Old St. Mary's began.  The materials for the Church came from all over the world as did the congregation.  Due to the notorious surroundings of the Church, it was decided a new facility would be built on O'Farrell at Van Ness Avenue.  With the growing violence of Chinatown, it became a Chinese mission.  It survived the 06 earthquake but the inside was gutted with the fires.  The new Church was dedicated in 1909.  With the Chinese secret gangs disappearing over the years, the Church opened its views to Christianity and began reaching out to the rest of the world.

Bank Of California 400 California Street Built In 1908

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdalton

William Ralston opened the Bank Of California in July 1864.  The rock was processed from Angel Island and it was considered to be one of the grandest structures on the west coast.  During the volatile Nevada mining period, Ralston was discovered conducting illegal banking practices, and in 1885 the bank failed.  He transferred title to another officer, went to North Beach to swim in the ocean and did not return.

St. Francis Of Assisi 610 Vallejo Built 1913

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdalton

This Norman Gothic Church, located in North Beach, was dedicated as a parish on March 17, 1860.  The towers and outer parts of the building survived the 06 earthquake and fire, but the inside was demolished.  The inside was rebuilt and the Church reopened on March 2, 1919.  It became the National Shrine Of St. Francis Of Assisi in 1999.  A 1926 organ and artifacts of St. Francis Of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Paduca are among some items within the Church.  

Audiffred Building 1-21 Mission Built 1889

http://www.flickr.com/

Hypolyte Audiffred built this building to remind himself of his Paris home.  It is one of few waterfront buildings to have survived the 06 earthquake and fire, and it also survived the 1989 earthquake. The freeway that surrounded it had to be torn down from the earthquake, making his building more accessible to it.  It has been Boulevard Restaurant since 1993.  

Bayview Opera House 1601 Newcomb Built 1889

www.flickr.com/mdaltn

German architect Henry Geilfuss came to San Francisco in 1876 and remained in business until 1910.  By 1880, he had established himself as having designed some of the best buildings in San Francisco.  His Victorian style reflects Italianate, Stick, Eastlake, and Gothic elements, and has made San Franisco stand out for its architecture. 

Colonial Dames Octagon House 2645 Gough Street Built 1851

http://www.flickr.com/

In 1848, Phrenologist Orson Fowler published findings that octagon houses were more efficient, better lighting, and easier to build.  This octagon house is one of two still remaining in San Francisco.