San Francisco Four Days before the Quake

Thanks to Kathryn Doyle of the California Genealogical Society for tweeting about this fascinating film footage. It's film shot from a cable car traveling down Market Street in San Francisco, just four days before the quake and fire. Whether or not you have San Francisco ancestors, you'll find this film worth your time.



The caption on Flixxy explains: "This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!).. It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing..."