Railroad House, Clay St San Francisen outdoor albumen stereoview. San Francisco, California: Lawrence Houseworth, n.d. Photographer's imprint printed to mount recto. Ink identification to mount recto. 

An exceptionally scare view of the immediate physical aftermath and emergency stabilization of the three-story Rail Road House on Clay Street after a catastrophic earthquake. 

The image highlights massive, rough-hewn timber shores and heavy diagonal bracing struts thrown up against the facade to prevent the outer walls from collapsing outward onto the street. Severe settlement is visible where the structure’s foundation shifted on soft tideland landfill; the storefront pilasters and arched window apertures exhibit structural cracking and buckling, and long timber levers are wedged into the pavement beneath jacks to shore the building. Repair laborers, tradesmen, and teamsters with a loaded cart gather in the cobblestone street beneath the timber cribbing, while building occupants peer out cautiously from the compromised upper floors. 

[Stereoview, Stereocard, San Francisco, California, Western Americana, Lawrence & Houseworth, Thomas Houseworth, Clay Street, Rail Road House, Hotel, Saloon, Tobacco, Cigar Warehouse, Commercial Architecture, Urban History, Street Scene, Dray Horse, Teamster, 19th Century Photography]

Very good condition overall. The albumen prints retain strong tonal contrast, and sharp definition, showing faint, even age-toning and minor peripheral dusting to the margins. The yellow card mount remains flat and rigid with clean edges and corners.