San Francisco’s Annual 1906 Earthquake Ceremony
April 18th marks 110 years to the day of the great quake and fire
By Johnny Funcheap - posted 4/17/2016
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When the earthquake hit on April 18, 1906, it did so in the wee hours at 5:12 am. The cast iron Lotta’s Fountain on Market Street became a crucial meeting point and is now known as SF’s oldest surviving monument.
Every year since, city officials and some survivors (and there are a dwindling number every year) gather around the fountain for a reunion at 5:12 am to mark the exact time of the Great Quake.
With the passing of the last know living survivor of the 1906 quake (109 year old Bill Del Monte), 2016 marks the inevitable first year there will be no survivors for the reunion.
1906 Quake Ceremony & Remembrance
Monday, April 18, 2016 | 4:30 am
Lottas Fountain, Market/Geary/Kearny, SF
FREE2016 Schedule of Events:
Public Domain via Wikipedia
- 4:30 am: Commemoration of The San Francisco Great Earthquake & Fire at Lotta’s Fountain (Geary, Market & Kearny Streets)
- 4:45 am: Master of Ceremonies Welcome Remarks
- 5:00 am: Survivor parade arrives at Lotta’s Fountain
- 5:00 am Mayor, Fire Chief, Police Chief introduced. Mayor hangs wreath.
- 5:11 am: Announce countdown (start countdown just before 5:12)
- 5:12 am: Sirens
- 5:13 am: Minute of silence
- 5:14 am: Sing-a-long “San Francisco”
- 5:15 am: Announcement/Invitation to 20th and Church Golden Hydrant Painting
- 5:30 am: 20th and Church Golden Fire Hydrant Painting
- 6:30 am: Annual Remembrance Bloody Mary Breakfast at Lefty O’Doul’s (333 Geary Street) (cost of breakfast approx. $20)
