San Francisco’s public transit has helped people navigate the city for over 100 years, and now a new exhibition is showcasing the history of SF’s public transit through the years. The photography exhibition, Moving San Francisco: Views from the SFMTA Photo Archive 1903 – Now, features a collection of photos dating back 120 years. The collection is just a sample of the SFMTA’s expansive photography archive, and it highlights transportation throughout major historical moments in SF’s history.
“Photography has always been one of our most powerful tools for understanding and capturing who we are as a city. Every photograph in Moving San Francisco is a reminder that our City is a living, breathing, and evolving place that has been shaped by generations of Muni operators who help keeping us on the move towards a brighter future,” said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. “The Arts Commission is proud to collaborate with the SFMTA to present this exhibition as part of our longstanding Art at City Hall program. We’re honored to share this extraordinary archive of historic images with the public and celebrate Muni’s vibrant history.”
The exhibition features photos that show building railways, the opening day for the SF Railway, and snapshots of daily life throughout the years. You can also expect photos that show the destruction from the 1906 earthquake. The photos offer a unique perspective on San Francisco’s history, not only highlighting SF’s public transit but also how the city has changed over the past century.
Moving San Francisco: Views from the SFMTA Photo Archive 1903 – Now is currently on view at San Francisco City Hall on the ground floor in the North Light Court. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and will be on view until Jun 18, 2026.