Artifact of the Month - 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Souvenir
SHS1967.20.3 – Gift of Grace Gratton Masterson
K.T. Basham - Exhibit Technician
Disaster Tourism is not a new phenomenon. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake affected Redding both physically and psychologically. Souvenirs found their way to Redding and into Turtle Bay’s Collection.
Melted glass from the San Francisco Earthquake. SHS1967.20.3 - Gift of Grace Gratton Masterson
In the early hours of April 18, 1906, the west coast was shaken awake by one of the most devastating natural disasters in California’s history. At 5:12 am, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck just off the coast of San Francisco. The violent tremors were so powerful, they were felt as far north as Oregon, as far south as Los Angeles, and as far east as Nevada at the time of the initial shock.
While the initial shock caused major structural damage throughout San Francisco, it was the fires that followed that truly devastated the city. Gas lines ruptured by the quake sparked blazes that raged uncontrollably for days. Entire blocks were reduced to ash and rubble—including many buildings that had miraculously withstood the quake’s shaking. San Francisco’s Fire Chief Dennis T. Sullivan tragically died from injuries sustained during the quake, leaving fire crews to manage the chaos without their leader. What followed was a scramble to contain the growing disaster, but the destruction proved overwhelming: over 80% of the city was destroyed, and nearly 75% of its residents were left without homes.
Palace Hotel, Market Street, San Francisco - Courtesy of the California Historical Society
In the aftermath, daily life became an exercise in improvisation as the community came together to help each other through. Refugee camps sprang up all over the city—some remaining active for years around the Presidio area. One of the most infamous stories from this period involves a woman who attempted to cook breakfast on her stove before her chimney had been inspected for damage. Her well-intentioned meal ignited what is known as the Ham and Eggs Fire, which destroyed a staggering 30-block area including the Hall of Records and City Hall. After that, residents were ordered not to cook in their homes, forcing them to prepare meals in the street. Sidewalks turned into makeshift kitchens where people huddled over open flames.
Much of the financial burden of rebuilding the city was further complicated by exceptions in insurance policies; at the time, direct earthquake damage was excluded from most insurance claims. In a desperate effort to salvage their losses, some residents chose to deliberately burn their damaged properties, hoping to exploit the loophole in their policies that would allow a pay-out if their building were affected by earthquake AND fire damage. Meanwhile, bank vaults built to withstand extreme heat were too hot to open for more than a week, locking away much-needed funds during the city’s most critical hours.
The U.S. military stepped in to help restore order, dispatching troops from the Presidio and other outposts. Soldiers were tasked with keeping looters at bay and protecting vital government buildings like the U.S. Mint and the county jail. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, reports of looting were widespread with instances of civilians and even soldiers scavenging through the ruins for valuable or sentimental items.
Makeshift kitchen, Oak Street, San Francisco - Courtesy of the California Historical Society
This month we’re showcasing one of these finds; a distorted chunk of glass from the quake donated by longtime Redding local Grace Gratton Masterson. Though we don’t know exactly how Grace came into possession of this piece, her donation reminds us of how this tragedy rippled far beyond San Francisco. Even in towns like Redding, people felt a strong connection to the suffering and resilience of those affected. It’s not just a souvenir—it’s a powerful link to a moment that shaped the entire state.
Visit the Museum this month to view this artifact in person and explore additional materials that dive deeper into the story of this dark mark on California’s past.
K.T. Basham, Exhibit Technician