Illustrated History 3: Whole lotta quake

Oh boy earthquakes are my least favorite thing. Especially when they only feel like a pre-cursor to “the big one”. San Francisco mildly twerks from time to time; usually just shifting a few books out of place, but to me it’s a warning that the end is coming. Immediately after one of these earthquakes happen, most of us turn to Twitter or Facebook to verify that what they felt really was an earthquake and/or if everyone is okay. We’re lucky to live in a time where we can communicate with loved ones instantly. Those who lived during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco did not have communication this easy, but there was a rudimentary version of today’s social media.

Just down the street from Twitter’s headquarters where Geary and Kearny collide with Market is San Francisco’s oldest surviving monument called Lotta’s Fountain. What makes it even more San Franciscan is that the fountain was commissioned by a woman, Ms. Lotta Crabtree. Lotta was a famous Vaudeville performer that got her start as a gold rush entertainer. Miners would toss gold nuggets at her feet and she paid for the fountain with that gold in 1875. The 24 foot fountain was created to provide drinking water for both humans and horses and is decorated with ornate details like lions and griffins. Although its appearance is impressive, its relationship with the 1906 earthquake is what makes it most striking.

Lotta’s fountain became the sole rallying point for survivors searching for loved ones after the quake — a 20th century status update. In fact, every April 18th at 5:12 am survivors gather at Lotta’s Fountain and the last living 1906 earthquake survivor, William Del Monte died at the age of 109 two years ago.

Who knows, Lotta’s fountain may be in use again as an actual meeting place if the “big one” does happen. If I survive it, i’ll probably just text friends and family, but nice to know that its there as a last resort.