The time is upon us to remember those that San Francisco lost in the 1906 Great Earthquake and Fire.
Three of the four known remaining survivors of the Great Quake will be honored today in a parade to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the disaster.
106-year-old Winnie Hook, 106-year-old William DelMonte, and 107-year-old George Quilic will join a three-block parade that includes the George Washington High School Marching Band leading the procession, as well as the SFPD Mounted Patrol, three antique fire engines, and four vintage Rolls Royce’s and Bentleys.
The fourth survivor, Ruth Newman, who was born in 1901 and lives in Monterey, has not been able to participate in recent years and will not be in attendance this year, event spokesman Lee Houskeeper said.
The festivities start with a Ceremony “Under The Clock” at the Westin St. Francis at 3PM Wednesday, at which Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White will name SFFD Engine 28 for DelMonte.
The three survivors will then ride in a 1931 Lincoln Phaeton from the Westin St.
Francis to John’s Grill on Ellis Street for the annual survivors’ dinner, Houskeeper said. San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and Police Chief Greg Suhr will drive the survivors down Powell Street to their final destination.
Wednesday marks the of 106th anniversary of the Great Earthquake and Fire. According to the Chron, the 7.5 magnitude quake and subsequent fires leveled 490 city blocks, left 250,000 homeless, and killed “several thousand.”
The morning starts early with the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Lotta’s Fountain at 5 AM, which will include a moment of silence at 5:11 AM, about a minute before the time the quake hit.
The Wednesday memorial will be dedicated to Rose Cliver, a 1906 earthquake survivor who passed away in February.
This will be followed by the annual painting of the fire hydrant that saved the Mission at 5:40 AM, then Lefty O’Doul’s Annual Survivors Bloody Mary Breakfast at 6 AM.
What: Ceremony “Under The Clock,” with parade from Westin to John’s Grill to follow
Where: The Westin St. Francis Landmark Lobby: 335 Powell St.
When: Tuesday, April 17th at 3pm
Cost: free
What: The 106th annual 1906 SF Great Earthquake and Fire wreath laying and commemoration
Where: Lotta’s Fountain: Market St. at Kearny, Third, and Geary
When: Wednesday, April 18th at 5:11am (parade arrives at 5am)
Cost: free
What: The annual 1906 painting of the fire hydrant that saved the Mission.
Where: Dolores Park: 20th and Church St.
When: Wednesday, April 18th, from 5:40am-6am
Cost: free
What: Lefty O’Doul’s Annual Survivor Bloody Mary Breakfast
Where: Lefty O’Doul’s: 333 Geary St.
When: Wednesday, April 18th from 6am-10am
Cost: $10 donation
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
