THE OLD GUARDHOUSE ~ ALCATRAZ

ON THE ROOF OF THE OLD GUARDHOUSE ~ ALCATRAZ

ALCATRAZ

SFPD CRIME SCRAPBOOK: 1909

The San Francisco History Center has been hard at work processing archival records of the San Francisco Police Department. The collection consists of approximately 65 linear feet of records issued or compiled by the Board of Police Commissioners, the Chief of Police, and other offices and bureaus of the SFPD, circa 1880s-1960s. They contain newspaper stories covering local crimes as well as throughout the state from 1908 thru 1933. In addition, the scrapbooks document other events involving SFPD including accidents, runaways, suicides, etc.

THE 1906 GREAT SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE

Here is a link to some marevelous rare footage of the aftermath of the earthquake and fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9kqImgsxQ

THE BEAUTIFUL CALL BUILDING

THE BEAUTIFUL, ICONIC CALL BUILDING at Third and Market Streets on fire. The photos were taken just minutes apart. The Cal building actually ignited from the heat rather than from the actual flames. It literally smoldered for a few minutes and then burst into flames. At the bottom center of the first photograph you can just make out the tip of Lotta's Fountain, site of today's celebration.

THE FIRE ON MARKET STREET

The fire from Market Street from about Powell and Market, where the cable car turn-around and Bloomingdale's are now located.

THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE OF 1906

The San Francisco Fire from Post Street and Grant Avenue.

APRIL 18, 2014, 5:12 am

AT THIS VERY MOMENT, AS I SIT AND WRITE, 108 years ago the earth beneath San Francisco shook with a ferocity that no living person could recall ever occurring before. The earthquake was not "great" by recent standards, 7.8 on the Richter Scale but in a city that knew nothing of seismic engineering standards, built on hills, and sand, and fill, it was devastating. A strong foreshock preceded the main shock by about 20 to 25 seconds. The strong shaking of the main shock lasted about 42 seconds. Within a short while, fires began, which joined together and became unstoppable until they reached Van Ness Avenue some days later, leaving San Francisco a pile of ashes and rubble. 3,000 people died.

At this very moment, a gathering is taking place at Lotta's Fountain, at the corners of Geary Street, Kearny, and Market Streets. It's an annual affair since 1907. In 1906, it was the place where people gathered together for news and to get water - fed by one of the few water mains that had not ruptured.

It used to be that survivors of the quake would gather there in memorial for the dead and in celebration for the people and the city that survived and rose from the ashes. Now there are but two survivors remaining, too old to make the journey to the fountain, but San Francisco remembers that day, almost as if it were yesterday, and celebrates them and the City by the Bay.

MARKET STREET AND THE CALL BUILDING

A very rare color photograph of Market Street and the Call Building shortly before the Great Earthquake and Fire.

DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SKYLINE C. 1905

DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO c. 1905, looking from Nob Hill southeastward. The Call Building dominates the skyline. The wide boulevard behind it, extending to the Bay is Third Street where at its end you now can find AT & T park, the home of the Giants.

SAN FRANCISCO'S FAMED UNION SQURE

If you've been to San Francisco, you've been here.

This historic photograph was taken from the corner of Post and Powell Streets looking south east. The iconic Call Building, located at Market and Thirds Streets is in the background.

ALCATRAZ, AT THE EDGE OF THE BAY

The old powerhouse on Alcatraz at the edge of San Francisco Bay.

THE RUINS OF ALCATRAZ - The Former Military Chapel and Officer's Barracks, 2014.

THE RUINS OF ALCATRAZ

The Former Military Chapel and Officer's Barracks, 2014.