earthquake

SFMTA seems to have abandoned their old policy of locking away their collection of 4077 photos taken following the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and have begun scanning the photos and posting them to Flickr.  According to the Chronicle, the photos were taken by John Henry Mentz, the photographer for United Railroads, the city's transportation operator at the time:

Most of Mentz's pictures were locked away in files for years, and many have never been published before. They show the destruction of the city - and particularly of its cable car and electric streetcar system - together with work to rebuild public transit.

Of course, most of these photos remain in a small room in MTA's office; however, they seem to be slowly changing their tune.  Below are some of the highlights of what they've released thus far:

Another view of present day South Van Ness at 18th.

What is now the corner of South Van Ness and 19th, looking south to Bernal Heights.  The house on the right in front of the church is currently home to Bender's Bar.

Electric rail power house at Washington and Mason.  The photo on the left was taken following the quake, but prior to the fire reaching the location.  The photo on the right is after the fire, which apparently improved the view of the bay for the remaining rubble.

A train burnt into the road.

Rebuilding Valencia Street between 13th (present day Duboce) and 14th.  Off in the distance you can see the ruins of City Hall.

Rebuilding Haight Street at the present-day McDonald's and Whole Foods.

While there isn't anything particularly shocking about the above photo of Sutter and Steiner, it's interesting to compare this block in the Western Addition to what it looks like today:

Finally, it's good to know you could still buy waffles near the Ferry Building following the quake.

[Flickr]

Previously on Uptown Almanac

• 17 Minute Video Reveals Life After 1906 Earthquake