SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — One hundred and seventeen years ago, a devastating earthquake hit San Francisco. The quake and fire killed thousands of people and took years to rebuild the city. On April 18—almost 120 years later—the community continues to remember those who lost their lives that day and honor those who rebuilt the city.
Tuesday’s wreath-laying ceremony happened just after 5 a.m. with a crowd gathering at Lotta’s Fountain. Officials in attendance included Mayor London Breed, former mayor Willie Brown, Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson, Police Chief William Scott and the master of ceremonies Bob Sarlatte. Community leaders came dressed up in 1906 attire.
The moment of silence was set for 5:11 a.m., the same time that the quake and fires began in 1906. San Francisco Fire then broke the silence with sirens for about 30 seconds. Then the traditional singing of San Francisco began, with Mayor London Breed and former mayor
Willie Brown singing along.
Soon after, the group headed to 20th and Church streets near Delores Park for the golden hydrant painting commemorating the only fire hydrant at the time that was able to help put out the fire. There was dozens there to spray the hydrant while announcing who they were honoring.
Mayor Breed said this moment is important and will continue to happen as it will always show the strength of San Francsico during a time of need.
From a vantage point on Nob Hill, San Franciscans watch the approach of fires caused by that day’s earthquake, April 18th 1906. They are on Sacramento Street at Miles Place (now Miller Place). (Photo by Arnold Genthe/Getty Images) 
SAN FRANCISCO – MARCH 25: (Bottom Photo) A view of Valencia Street from 19th Street looking towards 18th Street March 25, 2006 in San Francisco. An auto repair shop (red brick building) is seen at the site of the former Valencia Street Hotel. April 18 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Top Photo) A view of Valencia Street from 19th Street looking towards 18th Street in San Francisco, 1906. At left is the Valencia Street Hotel, once a four story building that collapsed, sinking the first three floors and trapping over 200 people, many of which drowned by flooding when 2 water mains broke on Valencia Street. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 
SAN FRANCISCO – MARCH 25: (Bottom Photo) A view of the San Francisco Ferry Building and Marketplace as seen from the Embarcadero Center between Clay and Sacramento Streets March 28, 2006 in San Francisco. The Ferry Building thrives today as marketplace featuring fine foods and a weekly farmer’s market in addition to Ferry service from Marin and Alameda counties. April 18 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Top Photo) View of the Union Ferry Building and clocktower seen through destruction and rubble from Drumm Street between Clay and Sacramento after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires, San Francisco, California, 1906. The Union Ferry Building opened in 1898 and was the central destination for anyone arriving by train from the East, as well as residents from Oakland and Marin who worked in the city and arrived by ferry. The steel framed structure designed by A. Page Brown survived both the 1906 and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images) 
SAN FRANCISCO – MARCH 25: (Bottom Photo) A view of the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building looking down Mission Street from Seventh Street April 7, 2006 in San Francisco. The Court of Appeals building was formely the main post office. April 18 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Top Photo) View of a damaged section of Mission Street near Seventh in fornt of the main post office after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires, San Francisco, California, 1906. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“A moment supposed to reflect and remember, but it’s also a time to reminders how resilient this city is and always has been,” Mayor Breed said. “We came together as a community; so many people, so many neighborhoods, who support one another.”
