wnp37.00593-l

California & Montgomery

January 1, 1864

Elevated view west up California Street from balcony of Express Building. Old St. Mary's Church at right. In the left foreground is Stevenson's Building, of 1859, named after A. J. Stevenson, of Mexican War fame (with Kennedy & Bell Carpets at street level). The next tall building to the west is the Mechanics Institute library of 1863. Painted signage is visible in this photo. The library stayed here only until 1866, when they built a new building on Post Street (their current site).[WK] (one half of a stereo view) Opposite Old St. Mary's is First Congregational Church, with Grace Church beyond at Stockton. [171.]