A group of people, including uniformed officials and civilians, stand gathered around a fire hydrant on a city sidewalk near a fence, possibly assessing damage after the 1906 earthquake.
Joanne Hayes-White, San Francisco's first female fire chief, sprays a new coat of gold on the "Little Giant." Photo on April 18, 2025 by Abigail Van Neely.

It is a new day, San Francisco. 

Literally and figuratively, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s 5 a.m. remarks at the 119th commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. 

“We’ve gone through some tough times recently,“ Lurie told a crowd of first responders, reporters and intrepid early rising members of the public. “But, just like what happened in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake, this city is coming together right now.”

A man in a suit stands outdoors at night, holding a folder amid people in uniforms and a bouquet of flowers, possibly reflecting on the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake.
“It is a new day, San Francisco,” Mayor Daniel Lurie tells the pre-dawn crowd. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.

In speeches at Lotta’s Fountain on Market Street, a significant meeting point after the disaster, other department heads agreed. 

In the wake of the country’s deadliest earthquake and the ensuing fire, San Francisco focused on “rising from the ashes,” Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said. “That’s exactly what we’re experiencing right now.” 

There were reminders that “another earthquake could strike at any moment,” from the mayor, fire chief and members of the historical society. 

A group of people in elaborate, vintage-style costumes and hats stand together on a stage, holding flowers and speaking into microphones, commemorating the era of the 1906 earthquake.
Members of the historical society sing “San Francisco” from the 1936 movie “San Francisco.” Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.

But there was also singing, jokes about old high school rivalries — many present said they were San Francisco natives — and handcrafted commemorative garters up for grabs. 

Following the downtown ceremony, Lurie and others traveled to Church and 20th streets to apply the yearly coat of golden paint to the “Little Giant,” one of the few hydrants that functioned during the 1906 earthquake and fire.

And the question that kept you up at night has been answered: Daniel Lurie did not wear a period costume like his predecessor, London Breed. 

A person in a red jacket and fire helmet paints a gold fire hydrant on the sidewalk, commemorating the 1906 earthquake, while a group of people, including uniformed officials, watch and applaud.
People take turns adding a new coat of gold spray paint to the “Little Giant.” Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A group of uniformed police officers and officials stand in front of an ambulance at night in an urban setting, reminiscent of emergency responses during the 1906 earthquake.
Police chief Bill Scott, right, and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, second from the right. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A group of people in Victorian-style costumes pose outdoors in a park, evoking the era just after the 1906 earthquake, with a city skyline in the background.
Member of the San Francisco historical society dressed in period costume and posing at Dolores Park. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A crowd gathers near vintage fire trucks with uniformed personnel in front of colorful, multi-story residential buildings at dusk, evoking scenes reminiscent of the 1906 earthquake response.
A crowd gathers around the gilded fire hydrant as sun rises. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A group of older adults stands outdoors at night, some appearing somber, as cameras and a cameraman capture their gathering to remember the 1906 earthquake.
For many audience members, being at the commemoration is a bucket-list item. Mary Anne and Gloria, best friends since age 5 (not pictured), had always wanted to attend. They finally did so Friday morning, just shy of their 70th birthdays. Mary Anne’s grandfather, she said, would have been 22 during the earthquake. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
Two people in elaborate costumes and hats stand face to face at an event inspired by the 1906 earthquake, with a person in a decorated jacket in the background.
Another quake is a matter of “not if, but when,” said drag queen Countess Lola Montez, right. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A gold fire hydrant decorated with a colorful floral wreath and banner commemorates the 119th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and fire. A spray paint can sits nearby on the sidewalk.
The freshly gilded “Little Giant.” Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A woman in a black outfit and a firefighter hat holds a bouquet of red roses, standing outdoors at night among others, evoking the spirit of bravery seen during the 1906 earthquake.
Donna Ewald Huggins is honored with this year’s wreath for her 50 years of participation in the annual commemorations. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A person in a fur coat and hat stands on a street corner near a vintage red car with brass details and red wheels, evoking the era just after the 1906 earthquake, parked at an intersection.
An old car sends exhaust into the early morning air. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
Two people dressed in vintage clothing and goggles sit in an old-fashioned car at night during a city event, evoking the era of the 1906 earthquake; a street sign for Kearny is visible in the background.
Headlights lit by candle flame. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
Three people in vintage coats cross a city street at a crosswalk, their style reminiscent of the era surrounding the 1906 earthquake, while a police officer and a red car appear in the background.
Men in period coats cross into Dolores Park. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A person wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds a protest sign with images of Donald Trump and text making a derogatory statement about him, drawing parallels to the chaos of the 1906 earthquake. Other people stand nearby on a city street at night.
Michael V. took the visibility of the event as an opportunity to protest. “There’s not much I can do, personally,” he said. “But I do my little bit.” Another protestor interrupted Daniel Lurie’s speech to advocate against Prop. K. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A group of uniformed firefighters stand in front of fire trucks at night, with a public transit sign and building visible in the background, reminiscent of emergency crews responding after the 1906 earthquake.
Commemorative sirens sound during an early morning moment of silence, a few minutes after real sirens blared down Market Street. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A person wearing a red coat and matching hat holds a small dog at night in an urban setting illuminated by blurred city lights, evoking the resilience seen after the 1906 earthquake.
Donna Sachett comforts Peanut after his siren-provoked barking fit. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A woman in a blue vintage dress and black hat waves, holding flowers, with people in colorful, elaborate costumes in the background at a nighttime event commemorating the 1906 earthquake.
San Francisco historian Laura Ackley distributes commemorative garters. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A woman with short red hair stands in profile at night, facing a light source, reminiscent of a scene after the 1906 earthquake, with people and a video camera in the background.
Tina Martin, wearing handmade Muni earrings, said she was proud to have taken public transit from the Sunset District to Market Street that morning, proving how safe it was. Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.
A man in a decorated military uniform with medals and a feathered hat stands beside another man in a dark uniform at night, possibly during events following the 1906 earthquake.
Fire Chief Dean Crispen and “Emperor Norton” (or, at least, a man dressed in his likeness). Photo taken on April 18, 2025, by Abigail Vân Neely.

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Abigail is a staff reporter at Mission Local covering criminal justice and public health. She's been awarded for investigative reporting and public service journalism.

She got her bachelor's and master's from Stanford University. Her first stories were published from nearly opposite places: coastal Half Moon Bay, CA and the United Nations Headquarters.

Abigail's family is from small-town Iowa and Vietnam, but she's a born and raised New Yorker. She now lives in San Francisco with her cat, Sally Carrera. (Yes, the shelter named the cat after the Porsche from the animated movie Cars.)

Message her securely via Signal at abi.725

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1 Comment

  1. I have a book written in 1906, 3 months after the quake. Has great details about costs, and damage with pictures and drawings. But one thing it says is, ” the best thing that happened was it removed forever that pest hole known as China Town”. Interesting don’t you think?

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