Remembering the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, with Survivors!

1930s Fire Truck

At 5:11am the firetrucks and ambulances sounded their sirens.

Today is the 106th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. I marked the occasion by waking at 4am to join the survivors parade and gathering at Lotta's Fountain on Kearny and Market streets in downtown San Francisco. It was still dark as night, but that didn't stop a crowd from forming around the shiny copper fountain, the center of old San Francisco. 

Mayor Ed Lee was there, along with Supervisor Scott Wiener, but what got me out of bed was the chance to see earthquake survivors. George Quilici, born April 26, 1905, Bill Del Monte, born January 1, 1906, and Winnie Hook, born February 14, 1906, all attended to commemorate the earthquake. Two of the survivors rode in an open-top historic car. They looked fabulous and had to share a blanket to keep warm on the chilly morning. By the end of the festivities, Winnie wore the blanket over her head. 

1930s fire truck

 The crowd dispersed shortly after 5:15am, some going about their day, others attending the Lefty O'Douls survivor breakfast, and others, including myself, making their way to Dolores Park to re-paint the Magic Fire Hydrant. The hydrant gets a fresh coat of paint each year on April 18th. This year, the organizers accidentally purchased silver spray paint instead of gold! The crowd mumbled about it, but it didn't dampen anyone's spirits.

Winnie Hook was the first to spray the hydrant. Next, descendants of survivors got their turn. Finally, anyone with a connection to the earthquake was able to step up, spray the fountain and tell the crowd a story. Each painter received a certificate for their help. As you can see below, the hydrant turned silver today, oops! The fire chief said that she would come back later today to repaint it gold.

Around this time, the sun was rising over Dolores Park. It was a fabulous way to start the day, honoring the survivors, and the memory of the victims and the heroes from that day 106 years ago.

We sang San Francisco at Lotta's Fountain. The tune can also be heard nightly at the Castro Theatre where the organists end their sets with the song right before the films begin.

San Francisco

It only takes a tiny corner of

This great big world to make a place you love

My home upon the hill

I find I love you still

I've been away, but now I'm back to tell you:

San Francisco

Open your golden gate

You let no stranger wait outside your door

San Francisco

Here is your wandering one

Saying "I'll wander no more"

Other places only make me love you best

Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west

San Francisco

Welcome me home again

I'm coming home 

To go roaming no more!