20 Vintage Photos of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

History March 26, 2025

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake was one of the most destructive natural disasters throughout the entirety of American history. It struck in the early hours of April 18, and it was a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake that decimated entire neighborhoods to little else but rubble and raging fires that unleashed further havoc for days. These vintage photos can capture all of that terrifying chaos and destruction, as well as the heartbreaking aftermath.

1. San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake

A black and white photograph depicts a cityscape devastated by destruction. Rubble and debris cover the ground, with several damaged buildings and smoke in the background. Horse-drawn carriages and people navigate the chaotic scene.
tmalone

The rebuilding process must have been unimaginably brutal.

2. Ruins of Stanford Mansion and Hopkins Art Institute, San Francisco. Aftermath of the April 18, 1906, earthquake and fire.

A historical street scene shows people walking on cobblestone sidewalks near a fence. Several utility poles line the street. Ruined structures and chimneys stand in the background, suggesting a past fire or disaster. The setting appears to be early 20th century.
hjuggernaut

Everyone must’ve been in a daze for days on end.

3. San Francisco ablaze after the earthquake, April 1906

A black and white photograph depicts a city engulfed in thick smoke from multiple large fires. Numerous buildings are visible beneath the heavy clouds of smoke, creating a scene of devastation and chaos.
sylvefyre

The fires were relentless.

4. Man crossing a San Francisco street while the city burns around him, 1906

A black-and-white photo shows a smoky street scene with debris. A man stands in the foreground, and burning buildings can be seen in the background. The scene reflects destruction and chaos.
sylvrefyre

You had to keep a brisk pace during that time.

5. More people displaced after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

Black and white photo of a large camp with canvas tents. People are gathered around the tents, with some working or cooking near a tree in the foreground. A hill and buildings are visible in the background.
johnpiece

Those were unimaginably long days filled with suffering.

6. Russian and Telegraph hills from roof of Ferry P.O., San Francisco. A view of the devastation wrought by the earthquake and fire of April 1906

A historical black-and-white photo shows a large, devastated urban area with ruins and debris. People, horse-drawn carts, and makeshift carts are scattered throughout, suggesting recovery efforts. Hilly terrain is visible in the background.
hjuggernaut

Everyone was on the move at that point.

7. San Francisco earthquake struck the coast of Northern California at 5:12 AM on April 18, 1906

Black and white photo of a city street post-disaster, with damaged buildings and rubble. A crowd gathers in the street, while smoke rises in the distance, indicating a recent fire or explosion. The setting appears early 20th century.
ianstrainor

People must’ve been frozen in their tracks.

8. Two girls posing for a photograph in front of the fire in San Francisco caused by an earthquake, 1906

A historical black-and-white photograph shows people sitting on a hill overlooking a city with buildings in the distance. They watch as large clouds of smoke billow into the sky, suggesting a major fire or disaster in progress.
affectionaterun799

Bit of a tough time to pose for a photograph.

9. The heart of Chinatown, San Francisco. After the earthquake and fire of 1906.

A person walks through a vast landscape of rubble and debris, surrounded by the skeletal remains of buildings, destroyed and partially standing, under a clear sky. The scene conveys a sense of desolation and ruin.
hjuggernaut

Walking through those ruins every day must’ve been a weight on the soul.

10. A refugee camp restaurant in San Francisco after the Great Earthquake, 1906

A group of people dine together under a large tent, seated at a table covered with a cloth and various dishes. They are dressed in early 20th-century clothing. A sign on the table reads "Tiger Cigars" with a box labeled "Soaps" below.
ibkeeper

Those camps kept things moving.

11. Toppled statue at Stanford University following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

A flipped over statue of a man holding a briefcase labeled "La Raza" is embedded headfirst in the pavement in front of a large, arched building. The background features trees and another building under a cloudy sky.
ganes811

That statue never stood a chance.

12. Palace Hotel, Market Street, San Francisco. After the devastating earthquake and fire of April 1906

Black and white photo of a city street with people walking past damaged buildings after a disaster. Debris is scattered on the ground, and some buildings show significant structural damage. The street is bustling with pedestrians in early 20th-century attire.

Still a stunning, albeit ghostly display of masterful architecture.

13. Two looters caught after the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906

Two men holding signs saying "So Am I" and "I am a Junk Thief" stand in front of a group of uniformed soldiers. The background shows buildings and a fence, indicating a historical setting. Both men look directly at the camera.
pubwithnob

They were certainly learning their lesson.

14. The Great San Francisco earthquake of April, 1906

Black and white image of a city devastated by an earthquake. Ruined buildings line a wide street filled with rubble. Groups of people walk through the debris. Tall, damaged structures, including a partially standing tower, are visible in the background.
gagator43

Talk about an eerie aftermath sight to take in.

15. Aftermath of the April 18, 1906 earthquake and fires in San Francisco

A black and white historical photograph showing a cityscape devastated by a disaster. Buildings are partially destroyed, and rubble is scattered throughout the streets. People can be seen surveying the damage.
derriereles

Taken in from afar, the aftermath is just that much more heartbreaking.

16. Another heartbreaking glimpse of the aftermath endured by the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

Historical photograph of a street scene from 1906, showing people in period clothing standing and sitting on a sidewalk. Smoke fills the sky, suggesting a nearby fire. The street has trolley tracks and buildings line both sides.
deleted

All of that smoke must’ve been brutal.

17. Looters searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

A large group of people sifts through rubble and debris in a city devastated by an earthquake. Many buildings are reduced to ruins. Smoke or dust fills the air as people search for belongings or survivors.
anonymous

The looters were out in force.

18. The smoke looming down the road instills that added layer of terror.

Historical black-and-white photo of a city street after an earthquake, with collapsed buildings and debris. Smoke rises in the background, and people survey the damage, walking through the street.
nan001

That smoke must’ve rushed in and disoriented everyone like crazy.

19. Breadline after 1906 San Francisco earthquake

A large crowd of people, including men and women in early 20th-century attire, gather in front of a devastated urban landscape with smoke rising. Buildings are in ruins, including one partially standing structure. The scene is historical and somber.
deleted

Those breadlines were nothing short of life-saving.

20. An aerial view of San Francisco post-earthquake 1906

Aerial view of a coastal city with a prominent harbor and numerous ships docked. The city is laid out in a grid pattern, extending into the distance. The sun shines brightly through scattered clouds, casting reflections on the water.
ryno3639

The aerial views take things to a striking new level.

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