Tour through Crystal Palace Market

Photo Essay

Enjoy this tour through the Crystal Palace, a classic large center-city market, operating at 8th and Market Streets from 1923 to 1959. For historical context and information, see Gail MacGowan's excellent essay.

Crystal Palace Market at Market and 8th Street, January 27, 1927, four years after opening.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAB-6246.

Interior of the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6862.

Fruit on display at the Crystal Palace Market, many are rare imports, April 6, 1955.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6890.

Pete Giannini arranging avocados at the Crystal Palace Market, April 6, 1955.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6837.

Bulk foods on display at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6879.

Just some of many products available in bulk form at the Crystal Palace, September 28, 1954.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6874.

Dried fruits department at the Crystal Palace Market, November 17, 1954.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6831.

Honey on sale at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6902.

Cheese department at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6865.

"THE LONG, SHORT AND TALL—Name your cheese and the odds are 100 to 1 the Crystal Palace has it."

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6881.

Employee working behind a counter in the dairy department at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6880.

The world's oceans give up their best for the fish counters at Crystal Palace Market, April 6, 1955.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6901.

Cold meat cuts on display at the Crystal Palace Market, September 29, 1954.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6877.

Woman selling hams and packaged meats at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6910.

Andre La Forgia standing behind a meat counter at the Crystal Palace Market, April 27, 1959.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6872.

Three butchers standing behind the counter of the poultry department at the Crystal Palace Market, September 30, 1953.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6909.

Emmett Rose standing behind a meat counter at the Crystal Palace Market, November 17, 1954.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6870.

Customers shopping in the meat department at the Crystal Palace Market, June 3, 1946.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6871.

Woman serving coffee and donuts behind a counter at the Crystal Palace Market, as photographed by Corwin Hansen.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6886.

This coffee stand in the Crystal Palace Market was one of the few, if not the only, places in San Francisco where coffee was still a nickel. One of the most popular spots in the market, the stand also offered 'Coffee and'- a cup of coffee and a doughnut - for only one thin dime.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6946.

Two employees standing behind the counter of the Family Corner delicatessen and catering counter at the Crystal Palace Market as photographed by Corwin Hansen.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, AAC-6917.