SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
- Home
- Earthquakes
- 1906 Earthquake & Fire
San Francisco 1906 Earthquake & Fire: History and Details of This Famous San Francisco Event
The San Francisco 1906 Earthquake was one of the largest and most significant in Northern California's history. This is typically referred to as the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire.
As a fan of San Francisco history who has researched and taken numerous tours that highlight this historical event, I wanted to share some facts about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
Find out the truth about the magnitude, the aftermath, the structural damage and human toll, and the lasting impact of the SF earthquake on the city today.
Quick Facts About the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
The Moment the Earthquake Occurred
The city of San Francisco was all quiet around 5 am on April 18, 1906. No one had any idea what was about to happen to this City by the Bay.
At 5:12 am (Pacific Time), the earth began to shake, and the San Francisco 1906 Earthquake began to rattle the city. According to the US Geological Survey, it was measured at a magnitude of 7.9 and shook for about 45 to 60 seconds.
A section of rock along the infamous San Andreas Fault had snapped just a few miles from the city, which caused the largest earthquake on record for the San Francisco.
The tremors spread both north and south along the fault line, impacting a number of residents around the Bay Area.
People living as far north as Oregon and as far south as Los Angeles reported that they felt this earthquake.
The Aftermath of the 1906 Earthquake
The San Francisco 1906 earthquake caused a heart-breaking amount of damage to the city and surrounding Bay Area.
There were also several smaller aftershocks along the fault line for months after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
The San Francisco Fire of 1906
The shaking from the San Francisco 1906 earthquake caused quite a bit of structural damage. However, it was the resulting fire that really took a toll.
The strong movement from the quake caused many of San Francisco's gas and water lines to break. Shortly after the earthquake hit, the fires began. They grew quickly since there were several broken gas lines.
The fire department was unable to put the fires out since many water lines were broken and they didn't have the proper tools. The fire burned for three or four days after the earthquake.
They were finally able to put the fires out by building a fire path to stop the flames from advancing and then slowly burn out. The path was created along what is now Van Ness Street.
The country and the world were not only impressed by the material damage but also the many people who lost their lives during the quake.
The overall death toll from the SF earthquake and fire is believed to be about 3,000 people.
Legacy of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire in 1906
As a result of the fire path along Van Ness today, today you will notice quite a difference in the buildings on the east and west sides of this wide street.
The east side is completely rebuilt with buildings from the late 1910s and early 1920s. On the other hand, many beautiful Victorians from the 1800s are still erect on the west side of Van Ness Street.
The San Francisco 1906 Earthquake and Fire left about 225,000 people homeless of the city's population of only about 400,000 at the time. A number of camps were set up around the city to deal with the destruction.
Many people left the City by the Bay in search for more stable grounds. Nearby cities in the Bay Area were also gravely damaged by the quake, but didn't suffer from the massive fire that San Francisco did.
Discover More: You can read some first-hand accounts and more historical facts in these books about the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. It's interesting to hear more about that day from those who survived and were willing to tell their story several years later.
Free Walking Tours About the SF Earthquake
The best way to learn more about our San Francisco earthquake history is on a walking tour with SF City Guides, a free program of the SF Public Library.
They offer several great walks that talk about this event. However, these are the two that focus most of their time on the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906.
1906 Earthquake and Fire: This tour starts near Market and 1st Streets. You will learn all about those who fought the tough fires, see buildings that survived, and hear more about how SF rebuilt itself after this devastating event. This tour runs several times a month.
Palace of Fine Arts/Marina District: Head to the Marina District to learn all about the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. This was the event that helped revitalize San Francisco and put it back on the map after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Marvel at the only remaining structure designed specifically for this event. This tour runs two to three times a month.
Visit the SF City Guides page for dates and times of these two free walking tours.
San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour: Sadly, the tragic event claimed thousands of lives and caused much despair among the growing population in SF. On this highly recommended ghost tour, you are bound to run into the souls who perished in the destruction as you learn more about the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906.
SF's Return to Greatness
Shortly after the Great SF quake, the city won the bid to host the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915. The event was meant for the whole world to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal.
After winning the bid, the city of San Francisco worked day and night to get everything ready for the event and show the world that it was still great even after all of the destruction of the 1906 earthquake. This SF postcard scene is the one remaining relic of this effort.
The Palace of Fine Arts building, with its iconic Roman-style columns and dome, was meant to be temporary along with the rest of the exposition. However, it was too beautiful to tear down and has been lovingly preserved ever since.
I love coming here to have a picnic, walk around the grounds, and imagine what it was like back in 1915. You can also see some photos of this part of the Marina District.
>> Learn more about the Palace of Fine Arts
Did You Know? The historic Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill, which later hosted the first ever United Nations Conference, was actually one of the few large buildings to survive the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. It was the first major business to open after the quake, symbolizing the rebirth of the city. Read more about the Fairmont and tips on visiting.
Remembering the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
Every year in San Francisco, there is a memorial at the exact time the earthquake hit. It occurs at the fountain in the image above.
In the aftermath, this fountain on Market and Kearny Streets turned into an unofficial meeting place for residents searching for family, friends, and other loved ones.
Hundreds of visitors walk by this fountain every year not knowing its significance. It's one of the few structures in this area of the city that remained standing after the earthquake.
1989 World Series Earthquake: Did you know that much more recently we had another large, devastating earthquake? The Loma Prieta earthquake took place right as Game Three of the 1989 World Series was about to begin. The series featured the two Bay Area MLB teams, the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's.
>> Learn more about this part of San Francisco earthquake history
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!