San Francisco - 1906

Posted by Randy Berger On 2010/2/25 12:16:28

Note: Most of the cars are RHD, and not a stoplight in sight.

Here is a San Francisco film clip - taken from a streetcar traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1906, a few days before the earthquake/fire destroyed the area. It may take a little time to download,http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k

Some info about the film:

This film was originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn, with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum , figured out exactly when it was shot. He got his clues from New York trade papers announcing the film showing, the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall, the shadows indicating time of year, and the actual weather and conditions on historical record. He even determined when the cars were registered, who owned them, and when the plates were issued. It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing.

The (added) background music is "La Femme D'Argent " from the
"Moon Safari" album by Air.