Bird's Eye View of the Ruins of San Francisco, 1906

Summary

On April 18, 1906, San Francisco and the northern California coast were hit by a major earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9. Following the earthquake, ruptured gas lines fed fires that destroyed some 25,000 buildings in the city. More than 3,000 people were killed and San Francisco was devastated. This panoramic photo documents some of the damage.

On April 18, 1906, San Francisco and the northern California coast were hit by a major earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9. Following the earthquake, ruptured gas lines fed fires that destroyed some 25,000 buildings in the city. More than 3,000 people were killed and San Francisco was devastated. This panoramic photo documents some of the damage.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1934

Subject Date

05 May 1906

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

53.41.1254.30

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 9.75 in

Width: 30.75 in

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