Amazing film of San Francisco, April 1906

[TRK]

I just found out about this amazing film footage lasting almost fourteen minutes, shot from the front of a trolley car, of Market Street, San Francisco. Originally the film was thought to have been made in 1905, but forensic researchers have determined it was actually taken April 14, 1906: four days before the great earthquake and fire that nearly destroyed the city.

In addition to being a remarkable document of the city just before that catastrophe, those interested in vehicles and transportation will find great views of virtually every form of road transportation in use in 1906, from bicycles and horse-drawn buggies and wagons to cars and trucks.

Link to film here:
www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k

More information on the film:
orphanfilmsymposium.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-trip-down-market-street.html

[Paul Sylvain]

I'd seen this before and found it amazing. I was trying to locate that post (on another site) because there was a still photo of this street, from the same angle, after the quake. The before and after effect was stunning. Alas, no can find.

Paul

[Allen Wiener]

Fantastic footage! It's mesmerizing, and haunting when you see what seems to be a comparative carefree people romping around, only days away from catastrophe. It's as if a way of life is passing before you while you watch that film. And you're right, Tom - all those different modes of transportation! Life in transition, right before our eyes! Thanks for posting this. The discussion link you posted includes a link to this longer version, which takes you to the end of Market Street:

www.archive.org/details/TripDown1905

Allen