Sunny Jim Rolph 1915: San Francisco’s Big Moments

Celebrate San Francisco’s golden era with this silent 1915 footage starring Mayor James “Sunny Jim” Rolph, a charismatic force in the city’s spotlight. On February 20, he leads the Panama-Pacific International Exposition’s opening day parade down Market Street, a jubilant march of 150,000 to the fairgrounds, marking the Panama Canal’s completion and the city’s post-1906 quake rebirth. Rolph tosses the first ball to kick off the baseball season, grinning amid cheering crowds, and dials the first transcontinental phone call from San Francisco to New York, linking coasts in a historic chat. This reel captures Rolph’s flair and the city’s pride, a vivid gem for history buffs, baseball fans, and San Francisco heritage lovers.