In the early 20th century there were guides published for every business in the state - like a proto- yellow pages, but hard bound and carefully illustrated. I

In the early 20th century there were guides published for every business in the state - like a proto- yellow pages, but hard bound and carefully illustrated. I found a listing an ancestor of mine had for his booming asbestos business in San Francisco. You can learn a lot about the times through the businesses and products that were thriving (elevators!).