https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com Sat, 05 Sep 2026 06:11:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/06/church-fire-breaks-out-in-san-francisco-shelter-in-place-orders-in-effect/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/06/church-fire-breaks-out-in-san-francisco-shelter-in-place-orders-in-effect/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:52:33 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/06/church-fire-breaks-out-in-san-francisco-shelter-in-place-orders-in-effect/ ]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/06/church-fire-breaks-out-in-san-francisco-shelter-in-place-orders-in-effect/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard-2/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard-2/#comments Sun, 24 May 2026 06:53:43 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard-2/















DETAILS: Antique leather bound photo album depicting San Francisco shortly after the 1906 earthquake. There are 116 photographs in the album and every image is of the earthquake. The photographer appears to have started taking pictures shortly after it occurred as there are photos of the city ablaze, with smoke rising from buildings. The distinguishing feature about this photo album is that the original photographer / compiler took the time identify practically every photograph by it’s location or subject matter. The handful of photographs that do not have a caption appear to be secondary shots of a previously identified but from a different location. It should be noted that the photographer did not only record the destruction. They also took photographs of the recovery effort with photos of militia and national guard troops, Everyday people going about their lives, the shantytowns and tent camps, even an ambulance horse and buggy. In short it provides an exhaustive look into the earthquake and its immediate aftermath with important factual information of the photos. MEASUREMENTS: Album measures 8 x 10 inches with 75 double sided pages. There are 116 photographs in the album. 71 of the photographs measure approximately 6.5 x 4.5, The remaining 45 photographs measure approximately 3.25 x 3.0 inches. Minor fraying to leather side binding. Otherwise a very well preserved example. NOTE: Please note that the images of the photo album and photographs were taken in a professional fluorescent light box. For this reason some of the photo details and writing are not as clear as they would be when viewed in person. Oxxbridge Galleries was founded in 1987 and specializes in vintage paper items with a particular focus on counter culture materials.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard-2/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/us-news-live-america-s-most-expensive-warship-on-fire-sailors-hurt-during-major-military-op/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/us-news-live-america-s-most-expensive-warship-on-fire-sailors-hurt-during-major-military-op/#comments Sat, 09 May 2026 18:23:33 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/us-news-live-america-s-most-expensive-warship-on-fire-sailors-hurt-during-major-military-op/ ]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/us-news-live-america-s-most-expensive-warship-on-fire-sailors-hurt-during-major-military-op/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/17-rppc-postcards-san-francisco-1906-after-the-fire-earthquake-real-photo-3/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/17-rppc-postcards-san-francisco-1906-after-the-fire-earthquake-real-photo-3/#comments Sun, 03 May 2026 18:01:03 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/17-rppc-postcards-san-francisco-1906-after-the-fire-earthquake-real-photo-3/












17 RPPC Postcards San Francisco 1906 After the Fire Earthquake Real Photo Streets. 4 of them are taken right before the fire, some were captured during the fire, and the balance is after the Earthquake and the Fire that consumed the City. Cards undivided back from 1906. They are written on and posted. Check the Pictures to determine Condition for yourself. If you have questions about individual cards i can try to help.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/05/17-rppc-postcards-san-francisco-1906-after-the-fire-earthquake-real-photo-3/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/1906-cooking-on-street-after-earthquake-fire-san-francisco-rare-antique-postcard/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/1906-cooking-on-street-after-earthquake-fire-san-francisco-rare-antique-postcard/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:48:43 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/1906-cooking-on-street-after-earthquake-fire-san-francisco-rare-antique-postcard/



We take pride in offering top-notch service and ensuring a delightful shopping experience for our valued customers. Vintage Postcards with Character. Our vintage postcards may display age-related wear, typical for older items, each bearing its unique charm and history. Read item condition for more details. To aid your decision-making, we provide high-quality scanned listing photos on most postcards, allowing you to zoom in and assess the condition of the postcards. Explore Gimlet Grove’s store for a wide range of vintage postcards and so much more! New items are added daily, so be sure to check back frequently. Gimlet Grove Store.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/1906-cooking-on-street-after-earthquake-fire-san-francisco-rare-antique-postcard/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/fire-san-francisco-california-original-large-antique-sepia-photograph/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/fire-san-francisco-california-original-large-antique-sepia-photograph/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:29:43 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/fire-san-francisco-california-original-large-antique-sepia-photograph/













San Francisco Fire Original Large Antique Sepia Photograph. Kearny & Montgomery Strs in flames. View made off California St. This original sepia photo has a high gloss surface on quality photographic paper. It is a good view of the start of the fire, with people in the street. There is also a gentleman standing on the left corner of the roof in the foreground watching the disaster unfold. The sky is entirely filled with smoke. This photo is in good condition, the surface showing a couple of small indents, one horizontal and one vertical indent about 1/2 inch long in the upper right sky. There is a pencil or pen mark about the same size above and to the left of them. The card has a split right of center at lower edge (see photos), and the corners show some. Reverse has yellowed edges of card, and lightly written in pencil on right edge. Kearny & Montgomery Sts in flames. The card measures 11 7/8 inches wide by 10 inches. The photo measures 8 9/16 wide x 6 5/8 inches. All conditions given are an educated review of Beckett/PSA standards, as we are not professional graders. Item is pre-owned condition with normal standard wear from age and usage, not new nor perfect, but definitely Nostalgic. We are a clean and smoke free environment. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/04/fire-san-francisco-california-original-large-antique-sepia-photograph/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/02/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/02/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:39:45 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/02/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard/















DETAILS: Antique leather bound photo album depicting San Francisco shortly after the 1906 earthquake. There are 116 photographs in the album and every image is of the earthquake. The photographer appears to have started taking pictures shortly after it occurred as there are photos of the city ablaze, with smoke rising from buildings. The distinguishing feature about this photo album is that the original photographer / compiler took the time identify practically every photograph by it’s location or subject matter. The handful of photographs that do not have a caption appear to be secondary shots of a previously identified but from a different location. It should be noted that the photographer did not only record the destruction. They also took photographs of the recovery effort with photos of militia and national guard troops, Everyday people going about their lives, the shantytowns and tent camps, even an ambulance horse and buggy. In short it provides an exhaustive look into the earthquake and its immediate aftermath with important factual information of the photos. MEASUREMENTS: Album measures 8 x 10 inches with 75 double sided pages. There are 116 photographs in the album. 71 of the photographs measure approximately 6.5 x 4.5, The remaining 45 photographs measure approximately 3.25 x 3.0 inches. Minor fraying to leather side binding. Otherwise a very well preserved example. NOTE: Please note that the images of the photo album and photographs were taken in a professional fluorescent light box. For this reason some of the photo details and writing are not as clear as they would be when viewed in person. Oxxbridge Galleries was founded in 1987 and specializes in vintage paper items with a particular focus on counter culture materials.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2026/02/san-francisco-earthquake-1906-photo-album-buildings-fire-national-guard/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/11/san-francisco-earthquake-california-fire-disaster-1st-report-1906-old-newspaper-3/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/11/san-francisco-earthquake-california-fire-disaster-1st-report-1906-old-newspaper-3/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:25:39 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/11/san-francisco-earthquake-california-fire-disaster-1st-report-1906-old-newspaper-3/





SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE California Fire Disaster 1st Report 1906 Old Newspaper. Offered is an original, collectible newspaper (NOT a copy/reproduction): OAKLAND HERALD–3:30 Edition, April 18, 1906. 1906 San Francisco earthquake Early 1st report on same day it happened. A quite rare newspaper, as not only is this not the more famous (and more common) San Francisco CALL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER newspaper of April 19 but it is a day earlier yet equally as dramatic. Remember that Oakland is just across the bay from San Francisco. The bold, banner headline announces: ” 500 PERSONS KILLED IN SAN FRANCISCO HORROR ” ” People of Oakland Be Calm—Danger Has Passed ” ” ATHENS OF PACIFIC ESCAPES WITH LESS DAMAGE THAN ANY OTHER CITY ” ” Garden City of San Jose in Ruins—Hotels and Theaters Collapse “. There is a wealth of subheads throughout the eight pages as the latest news arrives at the printing office. Complete in 8 pages, never bound nor trimmed, some wear at the central fold with some perforation, a few archival mends inside, generally in good condition for a newspaper of this era. Please Note: All of our offerings are 100% authentic! We do not offer reprints or reproductions of any kind. They are guaranteed to be original! Links to Archival Storage Options & Certificates of Authenticity Are Below! Historical reports may be beautiful or ugly, but they are always informative. While we rejoice in the beautiful heroic, discovery, amazing feats, etc. , we at History’s Newsstand also offer “the ugly” for we are determined to learn from the wrongs of the past – understanding, to do so, we must be willing to look these wrongs directly in the face and shout NO MORE! It is for this reason many Black Americans collect historic slave ads, Jews collect reports regarding the Holocaust, women collect coverage of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, etc.. If you find any to be offensive, we agree! Hopefully this is an indication we are moving in the right direction. For this specific item, A U. The S&H will be calculated by using the highest item’s S&H as the base cost, and then adding a small amount for each additional newspaper. The per-item additional cost for newspapers, folders, portfolios, and presentation cases vary according to size and weight. We will still provide tracking and insure them at our expense. Are not included in our quoted S&H. If You Are Unhappy With Your Order. We have been both collectors and dealers in rare newspapers since 1975, serve as consultants to multiple museums, and are members of both the Ephemera Society of America and the American Antiquarian Society. Knowing every item we offer is guaranteed to be authentic. Timothy Hughes Rare Newspapers P. Desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. We hope you understand! Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.

]]> https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/11/san-francisco-earthquake-california-fire-disaster-1st-report-1906-old-newspaper-3/feed/ 0 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/10/1906-panoramic-photograph-earthquake-and-fire-damage-san-francisco-city-hall/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/10/1906-panoramic-photograph-earthquake-and-fire-damage-san-francisco-city-hall/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:53:04 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2025/10/1906-panoramic-photograph-earthquake-and-fire-damage-san-francisco-city-hall/


117 x 23.5 cm (46.2 x 9.3 in). This deeply melancholic panorama photograph encapsulates the physical destruction of San Francisco in the 1906 earthquake. We see an extensive ruin field interspersed with the skeletal remains from standing facades. Many recognizable San Francisco landmarks are depicted, including the prominent ruins of City Hall. Old City Hall was located at 8th and Market Street, the present-day site of the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library. The post-Earthquake image of the empty shell of this building quickly became world famous, both because it represented the destruction of a great city and the inability of authorities to mitigate this disaster, but also because of the picturesque way in which the building had collapsed; it’s splendid dome still balancing in place on its steel scaffolding, creating a dramatic scene that embodied what the city had gone through and lost. The central tower is surrounded by utter destruction and collapse. The only part of the original complex that survived more or less intact was the lower domed rotunda east of the main hall, known as the Hall of Records. This building was largely unscathed by the earthquake itself, but was badly damaged by the subsequent fires. When plans were made to rebuild City Hall in a slightly different spot (two blocks down), the Hall of Records was demolished along with the rest of the complex. City Hall was of course rebuilt. The building in use today was completed in time for the 1915 opening of the Panama Pacific International Exposition and was modeled on the United States Capitol. On the site of the original town hall stands the San Francisco Public Library. With the ruins of City Hall so prominent in the image, it is easier to identify exactly what the rest of the scene constitutes. Being a panoramic image, orientation is of course somewhat distorted. Nevertheless, it is clear from the image (and confirmed by an annotation at the bottom of the image) that the vantage point for this photograph was from the roof of a building on Market Street itself, probably near 7th street and quite possibly from the Grant Building, as this was a favored location for photographers trying to capture the cataclysmic atmosphere of post-earthquake San Francisco. The bustle and commotion of Market Street is clear along its eastern extension in the right side of the panorama. Looking east along this axis, one sees the Call Tower’s iconic dome in the distance, indicating Union Square. Immediately to the right of this, along a street that runs perpendicular to Market Street, we find a clear depiction of the Old Mint and its double chimneys in the courtyard. Essentially, this is an image of a city destroyed. It conveys with uncompromising clarity the magnitude of destruction and suffering following the 1906 earthquake. Consequently, it might be helpful to provide a little background on the earthquake meant and what it meant for the history of San Francisco. The San Francisco earthquake struck in the early morning hours of April 18th 1906. It preceded the Richter scale by which we measure earthquakes today by three decades, but calculations have since shown that its force would have been equivalent to about 7.9 on the Richter scale and a Mercali Intensity of XI (extreme). Soon after the tremors had abated, more than thirty fires broke out across the city and raged for four days. Most of these were caused by the raptured gas mains, but in some cases they were inadvertently started by local firefighters. The fires burned intensely hot and since most residential buildings were built of timber and brick, entire neighborhoods burned completely to the ground. It has been estimated that 90 per cent of the total destruction caused by the earthquake resulted from the fires. When it was all over, more than 80 per cent of the city had been destroyed and more than 3000 people had lost their lives. The quake was felt as far away as Nevada, Oregon, and Los Angeles. Modern seismologists still debate the exact epicenter, but most agree that it was just off the coast, northwest of the Golden Gate. The extent of the damage meant that two thirds of the population became refugees overnight, and tents and shacks soon began to shoot up in the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and North Beach. Eventually, many of the refugees moved across the Bay to Oakland and Berkeley. Important San Francisco landmarks were lost, including the famed Palace Hotel and old City Hall. In addition to the immediate and short-term impact on the city, the earthquake also had long-term consequences. In 1906, San Francisco was not only the largest and most populous city on the West Coast, but it was also the most important port and bridgehead for American mercantile interests in the Pacific and Asia. Much of this dynamism was lost due to the earthquake. The sheer destruction of basic infrastructure and the chaotic conditions to supply a work force made maritime engagements difficult. In effect, and despite an impressively efficient rebuilding process, San Francisco lost its position as California’s major urban center to Los Angeles, and would not regain it again. This shift has come to characterize San Francisco and most of its contemporary inhabitants would have it no other way. Yet it is a powerful reminder of how easily trajectories change. The process of rebuilding the city was a long and arduous one. While civic leadership began planning the process immediately, finding the necessary funding proved extremely difficult. There was only a single bank in San Francisco that was willing and able to provide the scope of funds needed for the extensive re-building plans. The Bank of Italy had been founded by Amadeo Giannini, an Italian immigrant who had settled in North Beach. He became a great patron of the reborn San Francisco, providing the city itself with much-needed loans and paying for building materials from his own pocket. Years later, the bank would be renamed Bank of America, which it still is known as today. Due to the nature of the devastation and the difficulties in acquiring both funds and materials for the rebuilding, the process took time. But by 1915 the city had recovered to such a degree that it hosted the Panama Pacific International Exposition; a world fair that celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal that summer. This event showcased the city as a hub of modernity where one could experience the concrete results of technological advancement incl. The exposition proved beyond any doubt that San Francisco had regained its former glory and perhaps now even outshone its former self. For the occasion of the exposition, a glamorous and monumental neighborhood of representative pavilions was constructed along the northern waterfront. Not much remains today, so to get a glimpse of just how impressive the new San Francisco would have been, we are relegated to the Palace of Fine Arts, the most important and imposing of the exposition buildings still standing. The Pillsbury Picture Company was founded in the spring of 1906, just a month before the earthquake hit. Its serendipitous timing propelled the company to fame and made the Pillsbury stock relevant across America and the world. It was founded by Arthur C. Pillsbury, a disgruntled photojournalist, after he quit his job with the San Francisco Examiner. Pillsbury was renowned for his innovative approach to photography and visual communication. Part of Pillsbury’s success in the wake of the catastrophe was that the company was based in his Oakland home. Here he had set up equipment and darkrooms and could run the entire operation. Because his company, unlike most official press outlets, was not based in San Francisco proper, Pillsbury was quickly able to corner the market. His innovative approach to photography no doubt helped him cement that position. Pillsbury became famous through his images, but locally he had also won recognition as an uncompromising and innovative photographer. He had made his way into the city admits the ongoing aftershocks and was consequently able to circulate some of the earliest images of the calamity. Over time, the Pillsbury Picture Company became the largest distributor of post cards on the west coast and later went into film production as well (including the first time-lapse and underwater films). Pillsbury also went on to develop his own cameras, often refusing to patent innovations, because he wanted his inventions to benefit all photographers. In general, Arthur C. Pillsbury was one of the most innovative and productive geniuses in America when it comes to photography and film. His legacy is one of accomplishment, and since it all began with the 1906 earthquake, he has come to represent the resilience and greatness of San Francisco and her people.

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An antique original 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire real photo postcard, view from Gough & Clay Streets of the Residential District on fire. As shown in front and back scans message for any questions.

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