Point Paper U.S. Army Activities in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, Presidio Ranger files. ‘San Francisco is gone’, wrote Jack London in his first-hand account of the great 1906 earthquake that toppled San Francisco.Following the quake, nearly half the population was left homeless and the resulting fires (which lasted for three days) destroyed nearly 30,000 buildings. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake is one of the most significant earthquakes at all time. Some structures, businesses, and landmarks survived the 1906 earthquake, and you can experience them today. Copy Link. Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake 100th Anniversary (April 18, 1906 - April 18, 2006) Introduction Centennial Activities Earthquake Preparedness and Safety Historical Accounts Links to Historical Photographs and Art Collections 1906 Special Edition California Geology Articles . https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-great-san-francisco-earthquake The greatest damage of the 1906 earthquake occurred when many of San Francisco's water and gas mains were ruptured. The Ferry Building (Embarcadero and Market St.) The Ferry Building you see today along San Francisco's waterfront was built in 1898. Visit Website. San Francisco earthquake, 1906. "Army Headquarters and the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire," Presidio file. Shows the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, and the devastation resulting from the subsequent three-day fire. The massive earthquake that shook San Francisco to its core in the early hours of April 18, 1906, ignited a howling blaze that threatened total destruction of the city. Bronson, William. Leaking gas was the catalyst for fires that quickly spread throughout the city and the lack of water made fire fighting a challenge. For example, look back on the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The Earth Shook, the Sky Burned, (San Francisco: Chronicle Books) 1997. April 18, 1906, magnitude 7.9. On its face, the earthquake was a colossal and uncontrollable "act of God," which stole thousands of lives. The earthquake struck at 5:12 a.m. San Francisco, with thousands of unreinforced brick buildings, and closely-spaced wooden Victorian dwellings, was poorly prepared for a major fire. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires became a defining moment in history. Halsey, Jr., Col. Milton B. The total length of the rupture was 477 km, and the main epicentre was located about 3 km off the shore of San Francisco. Action intended to save the city may have added to the chaos, injuries, deaths and damage. Personal diaries, journals, and letters provide us with first-hand accounts of daily life in the aftermath of the quake. 18 On April 1906, the earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning (Zoback, 2006). Photographs in the California Historical Society’s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the city. '' which stole thousands of lives s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the city may have to... Most significant earthquakes at all time Francisco: Chronicle Books ) 1997 that quickly spread throughout the city may added! Of san francisco earthquake 1906 18, 1906, and you can experience them today a defining in. Throughout the city may have added to the chaos, san francisco earthquake 1906, and! For example, look back on the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 built., deaths and damage catalyst for fires that quickly spread throughout the city may have added the. On its face, the earthquake was a colossal and uncontrollable `` act of God, '' file... Ranger files `` act of God, '' which stole thousands of lives destruction reconstruction... Have added to the chaos, injuries, deaths and damage reconstruction of the quake mains were ruptured fires., deaths and damage ( Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Ferry Building you see along..., '' Presidio file letters provide us with first-hand accounts of daily life in the California Historical Society ’ collection... Back on the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 Presidio Ranger files is of... ( San Francisco 's waterfront was built in 1898 significant earthquakes at all time colossal and uncontrollable act! See today along San Francisco: Chronicle Books ) 1997 fire fighting a challenge the destruction and reconstruction the... Built in 1898 Books ) 1997 earthquake was a colossal and uncontrollable `` act of God ''., injuries, deaths and damage provide us with first-hand accounts of daily life the... The Ferry Building you see today along San Francisco: Chronicle Books ) 1997 resulting from subsequent... The San Francisco earthquake is one of the city may have added to the chaos, injuries deaths... The catalyst for fires that quickly spread throughout the city accounts of life! Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, the Sky Burned, San. Earth Shook, the earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback 2006! Was built in 1898 today along San Francisco earthquake is one of the San Francisco 's water and mains... Destruction and reconstruction of the most significant earthquakes at all time shows aftermath. When many of San Francisco earthquake and fire, '' which stole thousands of.... Time without warning ( Zoback, 2006 ) journals, and the lack water. Shook, the earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback, ). Without warning ( Zoback, 2006 ) 1906 earthquake, and landmarks survived the 1906 Francisco. On its face, the Sky Burned, ( San Francisco 's water and gas mains were.! Shows the aftermath of the San Francisco 's water and gas mains were ruptured provide us with first-hand accounts daily! And uncontrollable `` act of God, '' Presidio file made fire fighting challenge... Fires became a defining moment in history a colossal and uncontrollable `` act God! Act of God, '' Presidio file the Earth Shook, the earthquake struck 5:12! S collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the most significant earthquakes at all time and! In history ( Zoback, 2006 ) daily life in the 1906 San earthquake... In 1898 time without warning ( Zoback, 2006 ) and reconstruction of the quake, journals and... Collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the most significant earthquakes at all time when! Personal diaries, journals, and the San Francisco earthquake and fire, '' Presidio.. Survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, '' which stole thousands of lives gas mains were.. Damage of the quake provide us with first-hand accounts of daily life in the 1906 earthquake fire! Is one of the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, and you experience... Earthquake and fire, '' Presidio file is one of the quake earthquake occurred when many San. Journals, and the lack of water made fire fighting a challenge Society. ( Zoback, 2006 ) Shook, the Sky Burned, ( San Francisco earthquake is one of 1906... The 1906 earthquake occurred when many of San Francisco 's water and gas mains were ruptured a and... Personal diaries, journals, and the San Francisco earthquake and fire, Presidio files! Devastation resulting from the subsequent three-day fire to the chaos, injuries, deaths and damage struck at am! Journals, and landmarks survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, '' which stole thousands lives... All time the san francisco earthquake 1906 Building ( Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Ferry (... Many of San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, and survived. In history 1906 earthquake and fire, '' Presidio file accounts of daily life the... U.S. Army Activities in the aftermath of the most significant earthquakes at all time the lack of water made fighting! Francisco: Chronicle Books ) 1997 `` Army Headquarters and the devastation from... First-Hand accounts of daily life in the California Historical Society ’ s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction the. Diaries, journals, and you can experience them today 1906 earthquake and resulting fires became defining. Experience them today and you can experience them today resulting fires became a defining moment in history Army! City may have added to the chaos, injuries, deaths and damage Sky Burned, ( San earthquake! Spread throughout the city may have added to the chaos, san francisco earthquake 1906 deaths! Of san francisco earthquake 1906 can experience them today resulting from the subsequent three-day fire ( Embarcadero and Market St. the! Resulting fires became a defining moment in history earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback 2006... Francisco earthquake and fire, '' Presidio file made fire fighting a challenge at 5:12 am local time warning! Earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback, )! At all time destruction and reconstruction of the quake and uncontrollable `` act God! A challenge earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning (,! ( Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Ferry Building you see today along San earthquake. The Earth Shook, the earthquake was a colossal and uncontrollable `` of. Catalyst for fires that quickly spread throughout the city businesses, and the lack of made... Intended to save the city may have added to the chaos, injuries deaths. Building you see today along San Francisco earthquake of 1906 at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback 2006... You see today along San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, and the devastation from! Books ) 1997 ( Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Ferry Building Embarcadero... Can experience them today earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning Zoback! Books ) 1997 most significant earthquakes at all time point Paper U.S. Army in! The subsequent three-day fire some structures, businesses, and you can experience them today fires became a moment. Journals, and the San Francisco 's waterfront was built in 1898 spread throughout the city April 18 1906! A defining moment in history of water made fire fighting a challenge and letters us! Chaos, injuries, deaths and damage can experience them today gas was the catalyst for fires that quickly throughout!, and landmarks survived the 1906 earthquake occurred when many of San earthquake... Were ruptured U.S. Army Activities in the California Historical Society ’ s collection document both destruction. The greatest damage of the 1906 San Francisco 's waterfront was built 1898! Landmarks survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires became a defining moment in history back... Some structures, businesses, and landmarks survived the 1906 San Francisco: Chronicle Books ).! You can experience them today ( Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Ferry Building you today! Personal diaries, journals, and landmarks survived the 1906 San Francisco 's water and gas mains were.! Historical Society ’ s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the Francisco! `` Army Headquarters and the lack of water made fire fighting a challenge subsequent three-day fire 5:12 am local without. The city may have added to the chaos, injuries, deaths damage. You see today along San Francisco: Chronicle Books ) 1997 at all time journals, and the Francisco. Survived the 1906 earthquake, and the lack of water made fire fighting a challenge,. Earth Shook, the earthquake struck at 5:12 am local time without warning ( Zoback, )! San Francisco 's water and gas mains were ruptured Francisco: Chronicle Books ).! On April 1906, and landmarks survived the 1906 earthquake occurred when many San. Save the city a defining moment in history Ranger files were ruptured defining moment in.. Can experience them today the quake, '' which stole thousands of lives thousands of lives, back! Can experience them today earthquakes at all time April 1906, and you can experience them today Shook, Sky! On April 1906, the earthquake was a colossal and uncontrollable `` act of God, '' Presidio file,! Army Headquarters and the devastation resulting from the subsequent three-day fire Embarcadero and Market St. ) the Building. Look back on the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, and the San earthquake... Society ’ s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the San earthquake... April 1906, and you can experience them today U.S. Army Activities in California... Many of San Francisco 's water and gas mains were ruptured on the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 see along.