The Wasp — 1896 — page 695: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is **not a cartoon** but rather nostalgic historical commentary with photographs. It compares Market Street west of Mason in two periods: "thirty-five years ago" (top image) and "present day" (bottom image). The text discusses San Francisco's theatrical history, particularly Maguire's Opera House. It nostalgically catalogs deceased performers—Thespis, Momus, Anna Bishop, and others—suggesting lament for a lost theatrical golden age. The photographs document urban development: the earlier image shows a modest cityscape; the later shows modernized commercial buildings with streetcars and signage. The piece appears to be **historical documentation rather than satire**, reflecting on how San Francisco's entertainment district and physical landscape transformed over decades.