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In the early hours of the morning on April 18, 1906, Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area woke amidst an earth-shattering quake. While the 7.8 magnitude earthquake only lasted a minute, it ruptured 296 miles of California's coastline, and its consequences devastated the region.
2019-04-18
Some 500 city blocks — with more than 25,000 buildings — were destroyed, and rampant fires spread through the city and burned for three days. More than half of city residents were left homeless, and 3,000 people died in the shaking and subsequent fires.
Louis P. Selby, an amateur photographer, was working in his family's confectionery shop on Market Street when the greatest natural disaster that ever hit San Francisco occurred. Selby grabbed a camera and took to the streets to document the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake.
Here's what happened in San Francisco 103 years ago, shot through the lens of a local confectioner.
The 1906 earthquake that struck San Francisco had a rough magnitude of 7.8 and ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time because of the damage it caused.
Larkin Street."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
Even though the quake was only a minute long, it caused irreparable damage to the city. San Francisco's City Hall was decimated.
View of the ruined tower of the City Hall.National Archives
Some 500 city blocks — with more than 25,000 buildings — were destroyed.
Houses built on loose ground keeled over during the quake.National Archives
Massive fires followed the earthquake and swallowed entire city blocks whole.
No. 21. St. Francis Hotel, Fairmount Hotel in distance showing clean sweep of fire in business section of all except class A steel frame buildings.National Archives
The fires burned for several days. By the time they'd been brought under control, more than half of San Francisco's 400,000 population were left homeless.
Fell Street near the intersection at Gough Street."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
Most residents escaped the fires with just the clothes on their back. The rich and the poor alike were hungry, thirsty, filthy, and distressed — unable to contact their families.
Valencia Street Hotel on Valencia Street between 18th and 19th Streets."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
Some earthquake refugees had to take shelter in military-run camps outside the city.
A camp in Golden Gate Park under military control.National Archives
An Army general based in San Francisco later wrote that the city had "in 48 hours, not only been relegated to conditions of primitive life, but were also hampered by ruins and debris."
Golden Gate Park."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
The public desperately needed drinking water, so engineers began working on a backup system on day one. The US Navy brought water and milk on ships.
Market Street."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
Relief stations were also set up by the US Navy and Army to distribute blankets, tents, and food. Here we see soldiers giving handouts in Jackson Square Park.
Jackson Square."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
Refugees waited in long lines for bread. Cooking indoors was forbidden to help mitigate the risk of spreading fires.
Location unknown."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
People took shelter in tents and small wooden cottages, which became known as "earthquake shacks," in city parks and in the Presidio. Meanwhile, aid flowed in from around the world.
Larkin Street."When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
The earthquake of 1906 remains the most devastating disaster San Francisco has ever seen... for now.
"When San Francisco Burned" by Douglas L. Gist
There's more than a 75% chance that the San Francisco Bay Area will experience a magnitude 7.0 earthquake within the next 30 years, according to experts from the US Geological Survey.
Melia Robinson contributed to an earlier version of this story.
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