The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

"At 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906 the rocks snapped six to nine miles below the surface of the earth. The land was torn apart from Shelter Cove in Humboldt County to Hollister in San Benito County. The epicenter was located on the San Andreas Fault at the boundary of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, lasting forty to sixty-five seconds, was not the strongest ever experienced in California, or for that matter, in the United States. But it was the closest to a major population center. Fortunately, people were at home in bed and not on crowded city streets or in offices and schools."

And so it began. One of the worst disasters in American history took place almost one hundred years ago. This site documents that event with photos and personal accounts from the survivers.

After so many of us having been the victims of natures' wrath in this past year, here's a look back to a time when there were few of what we consider to be modern conveniences. Back when there were no helicopters or airplanes to aide in the relief effort. Only the rich had a few motor cars. No interstate transportation or communications systems as we know them today. No TV or radio to pass the word. It wasn't easy, but they survived, rebuilt, and prospered. So shall we.