Detail of panorama photo by Brad Templeton and Bruce Steinberg. Click the photo to see the entire image.

Our friends at SF Curbed have uncovered a fabulous photo of the city that was taken atop the Bay Bridge in 1971. It’s truly amazing to see how much the financial district and South of Market have changed. And isn’t it hard to believe that there was ever any controversy about tearing down that ghastly freeway, or building the ballpark? Those two projects made it possible for all the further changes we now enjoy. An entire community has been born because of it!

• Photo: San Francisco, 1971 [templetons.com]