San Francisco History Archives - Mission Local

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A house on a steep street is elaborately decorated for Christmas with large stockings, Santa figures, ornaments, a tall Christmas tree, and oversized gift boxes.

Is historic preservation in San Francisco in a state of decay?

by Julie Zigoris March 27, 2026, 7:00 amMarch 27, 2026, 6:23 pm

Remembering ‘Diamond’ Dave Whitaker, 88, San Francisco’s common thread

by Nicholas David March 6, 2026, 7:12 pmMarch 10, 2026, 2:01 pm

A man with tattoos and braided hair stands indoors, smiling and making the rock hand gesture. He wears a graphic t-shirt and has piercings and rings on his fingers.

S.F. celebrates 50 years of punk at iconic Mabuhay Gardens

by Jess Lynn Goss March 3, 2026, 9:05 amMarch 13, 2026, 3:09 pm

Historic streetcar labeled "Howard Street 1092" of the Market Street Railway Co. tilted on a dirt road with passengers and conductor visible.

‘Moving San Francisco’ exhibit highlights 122 years of Muni magic

by Julie Zigoris January 21, 2026, 10:00 amJanuary 22, 2026, 1:46 pm

Two uniformed police officers stand in front of a building, with a vintage Hong Kong immigration document and a black-and-white portrait of a child overlaid above them.

ICE HQ in S.F.’s Financial District has 80-year history of detaining immigrants

by Frankie Solinsky Duryea August 14, 2025, 4:00 amJanuary 29, 2026, 5:55 pm

A man sits in a chair against a bright red wall adorned with a large decorative comb and a group of framed black-and-white portraits.

People We Meet: Bayview’s seniors taught William Rhodes how to party and quilt

by Jose Alonso Velazquez June 28, 2025, 4:00 amMarch 29, 2026, 7:02 am

A woman stands in front of a museum exhibit titled "Early History 1848–1928," featuring historical photos, tools, and artifacts displayed on the wall.

She studied the Hunters Point Shipyard for 20 years. Now, her work’s finally on display.

by Jose Alonso Velazquez June 13, 2025, 4:00 amMarch 29, 2026, 7:03 am

A yellow and black butterfly rests on a tree trunk surrounded by green leaves and yellow flowers, while people in robes stand nearby.

Comic: Meet San Francisco’s urban wildlife, from lichen to coyotes

by Ronna Raz April 16, 2025, 4:00 amJune 21, 2025, 10:30 pm

A person stands at the entrance of Whalers Cabin Museum, beside signs labeled "Whalers Cabin" and "Open Information." The cabin is wooden with a rustic appearance.

S.F. playwright Nancy Wang turns tales of her Chinese family into historical novel

by Lydia Chávez February 25, 2025, 6:35 pmJune 21, 2025, 10:09 pm

Two red metal benches face the street on a sidewalk next to a tree. Buildings and a parked car are in the background.

A requiem: The ghosts from 40 years of walking San Francisco

by Naomi Beth Marcus October 21, 2024, 6:01 amJune 21, 2025, 10:30 pm

Maria Refugio Vigil and Ildefonso Vigil (right) inside of one of their restaurants. Photo courtesy of Amparo Vigil.

Food

Maria Refugio Vigil, matriarch of Puerto Alegre, dies at 91

by Oscar Palma September 10, 2024, 11:11 amJune 21, 2025, 10:09 pm

Joan Holden posses for a photo with a city and mountains in the background.

Joan Holden, SF Mime Troupe’s playwright, remembered by friends and family

by Oscar Palma April 22, 2024, 11:59 amJune 21, 2025, 10:31 pm

A man holding a megaphone.

We the living, and the Day of the Dead

by María I. Lopez November 2, 2023, 4:42 amJune 21, 2025, 10:09 pm

A collage of images from BART newsletters, including clowns and a tiger.

Hidden history of BART revealed in newly digitized newsletters

by Will Jarrett September 28, 2023, 6:00 amJune 21, 2025, 10:31 pm

Crossword banner image.

Test your wits with the Mission Local crossword

by Lana Tleimat and Will Jarrett August 17, 2023, 6:00 amJune 21, 2025, 10:31 pm