The original caption for this photograph reads: Souvenir hunters. These in the early stages caused considerable trouble to the military authorities.
On Wednesday, April 18, 1906, a loud rumbling broke the predawn silence. It lasted only about a minute, yet the force of the earthquake toppled buildings and caused water and gas mains to twist and break. Almost immediately after the shockwaves ceased, fires erupted across the city and burned uncontrollably for three days. Over 500 city blocks lay in ruins.
In the aftermath of the earthquake and fire, over 250,000 people – more than half of San Francisco’s population – became homeless. Refugee camps sprang up around the city. Hospitals were filled with the injured, many of whom did not survive.
