Historic Market Street Video Shot A Week Before 1906 Quake
Most of our readers have probably already watched the amazing historic film of Market Street in the early 1900s, but you probably didn't realize the video was shot in April, 1906, merely a week before the 1906 earthquake and fires destroyed most of the buildings that lined the street in the film. 60 Minutes aired an excellent story about the video on Sunday, which you can watch above. One point worth noting: Some of those cars driving in and out of the picture were staged by the filmmakers, likely as an example of the technological innovation represented by those earlier vehicles. How times change.
By
Matthew Roth
11:26 AM PDT on October 19, 2010
Most of our readers have probably already watched the amazing historic film of Market Street in the early 1900s, but you probably didn’t realize the video was shot in April, 1906, merely a week before the 1906 earthquake and fires destroyed most of the buildings that lined the street in the film. 60 Minutes aired an excellent story about the video on Sunday, which you can watch above. One point worth noting: Some of those cars driving in and out of the picture were staged by the filmmakers, likely as an example of the technological innovation represented by those earlier vehicles. How times change.
More from Streetsblog San Francisco
Should Support for Grieving Families Be a Bigger Part of Vision Zero?
Three experts weigh in on the long shadow of the traffic violence epidemic and the impact of bereavement and grief on loved ones.
November 12, 2026
Commentary: Oversight for Transit, but Not for Freeway Widenings?
There's always a double standard
Max Mautner
November 12, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Dig It! (No, Really)
We all know about the streetscape, but the stuff underground is what gives developers fits. We talk to a man who knows how to solve deep-seated problems.
November 12, 2026
