San Francisco Marks 119th Anniversary of 1906 Quake

April 18, 2025, marks the 119th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the deadliest in U.S. history, which killed over 3,000 people and destroyed nearly 30,000 buildings. The earthquake, with a magnitude estimated at up to 8.3, triggered fires that raged for days and devastated large parts of the city. Annual commemorations in San Francisco include gatherings at Lotta's Fountain and repainting the golden fire hydrant credited with saving the Mission District. The disaster's impact was felt from southern Oregon to Los Angeles due to the rupture along the San Andreas Fault. Iconic photographs by George R. Lawrence have documented the destruction and symbolize the city's resilience. The legacy of the quake continues to shape San Francisco's identity and its approach to disaster preparedness.