70 Rare Photographs of Streets and Buildings in San Francisco That Illustrate the Destruction Caused by the 1906 Earthquake

On the morning of April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake shook San Francisco, California. Though the quake lasted less than a minute, its immediate impact was disastrous. The earthquake also ignited several fires around the city that burned for three days and destroyed nearly 500 city blocks.

Despite a quick response from San Francisco's large military population, the city was devastated. The earthquake and fires killed an estimated 3,000 people and left half of the city's 400,000 residents homeless. Aid poured in from around the country and the world, but those who survived faced weeks of difficulty and hardship.

The survivors slept in tents in city parks and the Presidio, stood in long lines for food, and were required to do their cooking in the street to minimize the threat of additional fires. The San Francisco earthquake is considered one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

Ruin At Palo Alto.

Boy's Gymnasium, Stanford University, Palo Alto.

At Stanford University, Palo Alto.

A Block in Redwood City.

High School, Redwood City.

Courthouse, Redwood City.

San Mateo.

Howard Street Near 18th.

House On Steiner Street.

Dore Street.

18th Street From Howard.

Howard Street Between 17th and 18th.

Howard Street Between 17th and 18th.

Jones and Market.

Golden Gate Ave, Near Hyde Street.

Jefferson Square.

Jefferson Square.

Youth's Directory 19th Street.

Eddy St. Near Filmore.

Hanneman Hospital. California and Maple Streets.

''The Warren'' Post and Jones.

YMCA Building, Mason Street.

Girl's High School Scott Street.

Hall of Justice on Kearney Street.

Cor. Mission and Steuart.

Dynamiting The Examiner Building.

Hall of Justice.

U.S. Mint, 5th and Mission Streets.

Orpheum Theater.

San Francisco Stock Exchange.

Saint Francis Hotel, Union Square.

Palace Hotel.

Howard Corner At Spear.

Sacramento Street.

Mason From Market Street.

Market Street From Ferry.

Outdoor Cooking Fell Street

Union Street Near Pierce.

California Street From Kearney.

Dupont Street Chinatown.

Mason South From Post.

O'Farrell Street From Stockton.

First Street From Mission.

Foot of 9th Street.

Valencia Street Between 18th and 19th.

Valencia Street Near 19th.

Valencia Street Between 18th and 19th.

Valencia Street.

Observatory, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

Jewish Synagogue, Geary Street.

Grace Episcopal, California and Stockton Streets.

Saint Brigid's Church, Van Ness Avenue

Beth Israel.

St. Boniface, Jones Street.

St. Mary's, California Street.

Butchertown.

Cattle Killed On Mission Street By Earthquake.

Nob Hill Looking South.

Nob Hill Looking Southeast.

Nob Hill Looking East.

Corner of Seventh and Natoma.

Van Ness and Grove, Looking Northeast.

Chinatown Relics.

From Pine and Stockton.

Jefferson Square Camp.

9th and Brannan.

Corner 7th and Mission Street.

an Ness Ave at Vallejo Street.

City Hall From Mission Street.

City Hall.

(via SMU Central University Libraries)