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San Francisco Earthquake History 1915-1989

June 6, 1915
An earthquake with an abrupt rocking motion at 9:51 a.m.

June 22, 1915
Earthquake in the Imperial Valley wrecked the towns of Calexico and El Centro. Six people killed in Mexicali, Mexico.

October 1, 1915
Earthquake felt by many at 7:26 a.m. centered near Redwood City on the San Andreas fault.

October 7, 1915
Very strong earthquake was felt at 9:26 p.m. centered southeast of Berkeley on the Haywards Fault Zone. Another shock was felt at 9:35 p.m.

November 1, 1915
Mild earthquake felt at 2:30 a.m.

August 6, 1916
Mild earthquake felt by many at 11:38 a.m., centered at Paicines in San Benito County, and did some damage there.

September 12, 1917
Mild earthquake felt at 3:25 a.m.

September 24, 1917
Another earthquake felt today at 1:21 p.m.

October 2, 1917
Three earthquake shocks felt at 11:40 p.m.

October 26, 1917
Mild, rocking earthquake felt today at 1:20 a.m. It came from the Haywards fault.

February 25, 1919
Rocking earthquake was felt at 2:39 p.m. It was centered near Santa Rosa, and caused some panic there and at Petaluma.

September 4, 1919
Earthquake at Hercules in Contra Costa County was felt in San Francisco at 12:16 p.m.

November 25, 1919
Rapid rocking earthquake awoke many at 3:03 a.m. It was centered about 10 miles northeast of Santa Cruz and was felt as far north as Petaluma.

December 5, 1919
Earthquake at 2:34 a.m. was felt by many. It was also felt at Laguna Honda.

September 9, 1920
A mild earthquake was felt at 8:47 a.m.

October 5, 1920
An earthquake centered at Monterey was felt here at 11:04 a.m.

January 31, 1922
Mild earthquake was felt here at 5:17 a.m. It was very strong near Mendocino, and was felt as far north as Oregon and as far south as San Jose.

March 10, 1922
A mild earthquake was felt at 3:21 a.m. It was centered in the Cholame Valley in Monterey County, and caused much damage at a tiny community called Parkfield.

January 22, 1923
Not many people felt the the earthquake at 1:04 a.m., but it did much damage at Petrolia.

September 1, 1923
Tokio and Yokohama destroyed by Great Kanto earthquake. 150,000 persons killed. Friends and relatives of survivors awaited each new edition of the papers for grim details. There were many San Franciscans in Yokohama at the time of the quake and there was fear for their safety.

April 3, 1924
An earthquake centered near Mt. Hamilton was felt here today at 3:54 p.m.

December 29, 1924
A strong earthquake shock was felt at 11:27 p.m. It was strongest down the Peninsula between Palo Alto and Redwood City.

February 10, 1925
An earthquake centered at Crystal Springs was felt by many at 1:05 a.m.

June 29, 1925
Santa Barbara was wrecked by 6.3 magnitude earthquake today. Several people were killed by collapsing walls. Old Mission Restoration Committee of Santa Barbara immediately appealed for funds to restore the Mission.

July 19, 1925
An earthquake was felt at 11:24 a.m. It was centered at Evergreen, Santa Clara County, and was felt as far north as Santa Rosa.

September 30, 1925
A sharp earthquake was felt at 7:23 a.m. by a few people. It was centered near Oakland.

January 6, 1926
Sharp earthquake was felt at 9:53 p.m. centered at Kentfield.

June 29, 1926
Santa Barbara was damaged by another earthquake at 3:21 p.m. A falling chimney killed a child and a streetcar derailed. The surf was agitated violently.

October 22, 1926
A particularly strong earthquake was felt at 4:35 a.m. and did some damage. The tremor was off the coast at Monterey. It was stronger in San Francisco than at some places closer to the epicenter. A second tremor, much like the first, was felt at 5:35 a.m.

January 1, 1927
An earthquake in the Imperial Valley wrecked the town of Calexico and started fires. There was also major damage in Mexicali, Mexico.

February 15, 1927
An earthquake was felt at 3:54 p.m. It caused some damage at Santa Cruz.

September 2, 1927
The earthquake at Alum Rock near San Jose was not felt here, but it was strong enough there to throw an interurban car off the tracks.

November 4, 1927
A seawave from the earthquake at Point Argüello was recorded here but the earthquake was not felt.

May 28, 1928
Earthquake felt here at 9:39 a.m. was centered at Evergreen and did some damage there.

March 10, 1933
Southern California struck by major 6.3 earthquake. Massive damage in Long Beach. Many school buildings collapsed. Fires were started by the earthquake. 115 people were killed.

October 18, 1935
Major earthquake in Helena, Montana. Two strong-motion seismographs were immediately trucked from San Francisco to the earthquake zone to record aftershocks.

June 30, 1941
A Richter-magnitude 5.9 earthquake did significant damage to Santa Barbara.

October 21, 1941
A strong earthquake shook the Los Angeles basin and affected the output of some oil wells.

July 21, 1952
Earthquake near Bakersfield measured 7.7 on the Richter scale and did enormous damage in Kern County and vicinity. The tremor was second only in intensity to the Great Earthquake in San Francisco.

August 22, 1952
The Central Valley town of Bakerfield was badly damaged by a 5.8 earthquake.

December 21, 1954
Eureka and vicinity were badly damaged by a 6.6 earthquake.

April 15, 1956
Chronicle and Examiner published commemorative sections on the anniversary of the Great Earthquake and Fire.

April 18, 1956
California Office of Civil Defense sponsored a conference on the topic "California's Next Earthquake," and discussed disaster planning.

March 22, 1957
The worst earthquake since 1906 struck at 11:45 this morning, and registered 5.3 on the Richter scale. The main shock had been preceded by at least six smaller quakes throughout the morning. The quake started some fires, including a blaze caused by a spill in the chemistry lab at old Lowell High School, according to Lowell student Frederick F. Postel. Fires connected to the earthquake broke out, but that was denied by the Fire Chief, possibly for political reasons. The tremor was preceded by a magnitude 3 shock at 8:38 a.m., and a magnitude 3.75 quake at 10:48 a.m. There were no lives lost. The quake was centered in the Westlake District of Daly City where many water heaters were ripped from their moorings and much plaster was damaged.

Three-alarm fire at Mission and Duboce shortly after the earthquake in buildings scheduled to be torn down for the new Central Freeway. Fire Chief William F. Murray said the fire was not earthquake caused, but communications were jammed because of the tremor. Five firemen were injured.

Many buildings suffered damage in the earthquake. KPIX at 2655 Van Ness suffered broken windows as did the Palace Hotel. The top floor of St. Anne's School at 13th and Irving was badly damaged, but the children were safe. The McCreery Branch of the library, on Sixteenth near Market was so badly damaged that it would be razed. The Presidio, Sunset and Richmond branch libraries were also damaged. A water main broke at City Hall and flooded Mole Hall under construction at Civic Center. Masonry fell from California Hall at Turk and Polk streets, and Central Emergency Hospital at 50 Ivy St. reported at least 50 people were treated for injuries. There was much glass and plaster damage at the ParkMerced Apartments, and the road at Lake Merced collapsed. Sheridan Elementary, Longfellow, Mission High and Park Presidio Junior High were closed because of earthquake damage.

English comedianne Gracie Fields said, "We were on the 16th floor of a hotel when the earthquake it. We were picked up like a wedding cake, shaken and then dropped to the floor again. It was very exciting." Plaster fell in the corridors at the Hall of Justice on Kearny St., but there were no injuries in the building.

The Municipal Organ, largest west of Chicago, had broken pipes and a dislodged harp attachment which would cost $300 to repair, according to James T. Graham, auditorium supervisor. At Golden Gate Park, the Portals of the Past, remnants of the Nob Hill home of A.N. Towne from 1906, were damaged by the earthquake when one column fell.

March 23, 1957
Fire broke out at the Twin Peaks Hotel, 2160 Market St., shortly after the 12:14 a.m. aftershock. Two policemen were felled by smoke while rescuing 50 people from the hotel and adjoining buildings. The arson squad could find no connection between the earthquake aftershock and the fire.

Speaking from his laboratory in Pasadena, Dr. Charles Richter said, This is not a prediction; it is only another way of saying that in California we must learn to live with the constant possibility of a serious earthquake."

Admiral A.G. Cook, the city's civil defense director, said a minimum of 70,000 homes had been damaged in the Bay Area by the earthquake.

March 24, 1957
Fire at the Crown Cork and Seal Co. on Bayshore Blvd. today was caused by boxes that fell in the earthquake and knocked a thermostat out of commission. That allowed an overhead gas heater to overheat and start the fire. It did $2500 damage.

March 26, 1957
Fire Chief Murray said none of the fires that occurred around the time of the earthquake were connected with the tremor.

April 1, 1957
Coast Highway 1 was reopened at Thornton Bluffs after earthquake- caused landslides were cleared away.

April 7, 1957
Two mild aftershocks of the March 23 earthquake were felt.

April 9, 1957
An earthquake-weakened water main broke at Haight and Buchanan and flooded three blocks.

April 29, 1957
Two minor aftershocks of the March earthquake were felt at 4:11 a.m and 4:05 p.m.

April 30, 1957
Residents on Ulloa from 15th to Madrone Ave. complained that speeding streetcars were shaking their houses. Muni General Manager Charles Miler said "The earthquake loosened some joints in the houses, making them more susceptible to the vibrations set up by moving streetcars."

November 25, 1959
An earthquake was felt today.

January 3, 1961
Earthquake centered at Hollister was felt here at 4:30 p.m. Light fixtures swayed in San Francisco.

August 11, 1963
Minor damage was caused in San Francisco by a magnitude 4.5 earthquake.

March 27, 1964
A tsunami wave smashed 56 blocks of Crescent City and killed 38 persons. Four Texaco Refinery tanks exploded when the wave generated by the Alaska earthquake rolled in. Gov. Brown declared it a disaster area. Many boats and docks within San Francisco Bay were damaged when the wave came through the Golden Gate. There was no damage in San Francisco, although thousands gathered at the Ocean Beach to watch the incoming wave. The quake killed 131 people and measured 9 on the Richter scale.

April 3, 1965
Students at UC Berkeley circulated a flyer that said Dr. Richter suggested the next location for a big shake was in the East Bay. It was a tongue-in-cheek ad for the Johnny Otis Show at Zellerbach Hall which, the flyer said, met all State earthquake requirements.

June 27, 1966
An earthquake centered in Parkfield rattled the Bay Area.

September 12, 1966
Strong earthquake shook Truckee in the Sierra Nevada.

April 18, 1969
Commemoration of the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 held at City Hall. Mayor Alioto spoke.

February 9, 1971
6.4 earthquake centered in the San Fernando area of Southern California caused major damage and knocked down freeways. At least 65 persons were killed. Damage could exceed $1 billion.

February 21, 1971
Strong 5.9 earthquake at Point Mugu in Southern California.

May 20, 1971
International meeting on earthquakes held in San Francisco.

September 7, 1973
National Academy of Engineering Workshop on Simulation of Earthquake Effects on Structures held in San Francisco.

September 23, 1973
A Red Cross spokesman quoted in today's newspaper says the Bay Area is better prepared for earthquakes. "If a disaster is severe enough, the federal government will gear up even before it's formally called on," said Joe Leux, Red Cross liaison to a state OES earthquake planning project. "That wasn't always the case. Red tape which in the past delayed funds has finally been whacked into oblivion," he said.

August 1, 1975
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake damaged the Oroville area.

November 7, 1975
Earthquake prediction, opportunity to avert disaster: a conference on earthquake warning and response held in conjunction with the City of San Francisco Office of Emergency Services.

January 1, 1976
Severe earthquake caused much damage in Whittier.

August 13, 1978
Serious 5.7 earthquake in Santa Barbara. It threw a locomotive off the tracks.

January 19, 1979
Strong earthquake Malibu, in Southern California.

March 15, 1979
Strong earthquake struck Homestead Valley near San Bernardino.

August 6, 1979
A 5.9 earthquake centered in the Coyote Lake area near Gilroy was felt in San Francisco.

October 15, 1979
A 6.4 earthquake caused damage in Imperial Valley and Coachella.

January 24, 1980
Just after 11 a.m. a powerful rolling earthquake, centered 10 miles northwest of Livermore, jolted the city with a Richter magnitude of 5.8. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, where nuclear materials were stored, was damaged.

January 26, 1980
At 6:33 p.m. a 5.6 earthquake struck the Bay Area.

May 25, 1980
Landslides were caused by a series of earthquakes at Mammoth Lakes and Owens Valley. Three quakes, each measuring 6.1, struck the area.

May 27, 1980
A 6.2 earthquake struck the Owens Valley area.

November 8, 1980
Offshore earthquake near Trinidad in Northern California did damage to highways.

April 26, 1981
Westmorland, in Southern California, was damaged by an earthquake.

May 2, 1983
San Francisco rocked by the 6.4 earthquake that wrecked Coalinga.

April 24, 1984
6.2 earthquake centered at Morgan Hill was felt in San Francisco. Severe damage was done there. Loss estimated at $10 million.

July 21, 1984
Eighth World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in San Francisco.

November 23, 1984
Strong earthquake at Bishop near Yosemite.

September 19, 1985
Mexico City earthquake. Thousands of San Franciscans responded to pleas for donations to help earthquake victims.

September 30, 1985
Dr. Charles Richter, who helped develop the earthquake intensity scale named for him, died in a San Marino rest home. He was 85.

October 2, 1985
A strong earthquake near Redlands in Southern California.

February 26, 1986
National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council and the San Francisco Bay Region Special Study Areas Workshop met at USGS, Menlo Park.

April 9, 1986
It's Your Fault: taking responsibility for earthquake preparedness in the San Francisco Bay Region; a regional conference on earthquake preparedness planning at the Hyatt Regency.

July 8, 1986
Palm Springs was rocked by a strong earthquake.

July 21, 1986
A series of earthquakes, including a 6.0 quake, struck the Chalfant Valley area in Southern California.

October 1, 1987
Strong earthquake damage in Southern California. The quake registered 6.1 on the Richter scale and damaged Whittier, Rosemead and Alhambra. Eight people were killed. A Richter-5.3 shock followed the main quake.

November 4, 1987
Major earthquake in Southern California; most damage in the Whittier area.

November 14, 1987
Gov. Deukmejian signed seven bills to provide approximately $90 million in state funding for assistance to the victims of the Los Angeles area earthquake.

November 23, 1987
6.2 earthquake in the Imperial Valley. Scientists rushed to the scene because aftershocks began migrating toward the San Andreas fault. A 6.6 earthquake did strike on a nearby fault the next day. 94 people were injured.

February 20, 1988
An earthquake centered in Hollister was felt in San Francisco.

June 10, 1988
Strong earthquake in Gorman, California.

December 3, 1988
Pasadena was badly shaken by an earthquake.

February 9, 1989
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute's 41st annual meeting in San Francisco to discuss the newest trends in earthquake engineering.

April 3, 1989
L.A. voters failed to pass Proposition 3, a city initiative that would have provided $90 million in bonds for earthquake safety measures.

October 17, 1989
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Bay Area just before the third game of the World Series at Candlestick Park; the worst earthquake since 1906. The tremor collapsed a section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Six of the deaths occurred when the exterior of a brick building collapsed at 6th and Bluxome streets in the South of Market District. Damage was estimated at almost three billion dollars in San Francisco, which was approximately one-half of the total damage figure for the entire earthquake zone.

The earthquake knocked out power to San Francisco, and the city was dark for the first time since the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Power was fully restored by October 20. Emergency telephone service became sporadic because a fire broke out in the 9-1-1 telephone equipment room, and citizens had to rely on fire alarm boxes for three days for emergency protection from fire. The quake killed 62 people throughout Central California, injured 3757 and left more than 12,000 homeless.

At least 27 fires broke out across the City, including a major blaze in the Marina District where apartment buildings sank into a lagoon filled with bay mud in preparation for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915. Dozens of people were rescued by firefighters from fallen buildings in the area that were imperiled by the flames. As they had done in 1906, citizens formed a bucket brigade to help firefighters who were without water because of broken mains. A magnitude 5.2 aftershock struck 37 minutes after the initial shock.

Interstate 280 rocked so viciously during the earthquake that sections of the freeway slammed into one another, cracking off pieces. Some columns actually fractured, exposing the reinforcing steel in places where the concrete disintegrated. The Embarcadero Freeway along the Waterfront was nearly destroyed by the shaking, though Caltrans said it could be repaired.

Sporadic but minor looting broke out in the downtown Shopping District near Fifth and Market streets, the Inner Mission and Hunters Point areas. District Attorney Arlo Smith said, "If there's anyone arrested tonight for burglary or looting, tomorrow morning we're going to go into court and demand that there be no bail. Anyone engaged in that kind of conduct can expect maximum sentences." 24-year-old DeSoto Barker was shot and killed by a motorist upset by the earthquake chaos. DeSoto was at first depicted as a good Samaritan, but Police Inspector Michael Byrne later said he had stolen traffic flares from legitimate volunteers and provoked his own shooting death.

The earthquake triggered a four-foot tsunami wave in Monterey Bay as well as a huge undersea landslide. The sea level at Santa Cruz dropped three feet as water rushed out of the harbor. The tsunami wave took 20 minutes to travel from Santa Cruz to Monterey.

Lombard St., the "crookedest street in the world," was closed because a cable car was left stranded at Hyde and Lombard by the earthquake power failure.

Peoples Temple, housed in the former Albert Pike Memorial on Geary Blvd., was gravely damaged by the earthquake. The building had been badly damaged during the 1906 earthquake.

The Municipal Organ at Civic Auditorium was badly damaged by the earthquake, and was out of commission. It had also been damaged during the 1957 earthquake.

People in San Francisco, 56 miles from the epicenter, felt the earthquake about 23 seconds later than the people in Santa Cruz, 10 miles away. People in Sacramento, 100 miles distant, felt it about 22 seconds later. The strong motion recorder at Corralitos-Eureka Canyon Road, near the epicenter, recorded the earthquake beginning at 5:04:21 p.m. The first quake wave arrived one second later at the Fire Station in Capitola. The first wave began to shake the water tank at Gavilan College in Gilroy at 5:04:24 p.m. Strong motion instruments at the Pulgas Water Temple at Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir recorded the quake beginning at 5:04:31 p.m. The Sierra Point Freeway overpass monitor, nearest to Candlestick Park, recorded the quake at 5:04:34 p.m. The quake wave arrived at the Presidio of San Francisco, nearest the Marina District, at 5:04:37 with the heaviest shaking recorded at 5:04:47 p.m.

The performance of Mozart's "Idomeneo" at the Opera House was canceled after the earthquake. Water and sewage were flowing in the basement of the War Memorial and Veterans' Building. There was no word on whether "Otello" will open this weekend as scheduled.

October 18, 1989
A U-2 spy plane from Beale Air Force Base overflew San Francisco to record earthquake damage. The photos were to be used to detect problems in structures.

Preliminary ratings for the ABC, CBS, and NBC earthquake specials Wednesday night indicated nearly half of all U.S. homes with television tuned in. According to A.C. Nielsen Co. estimates, ABCs special, "The Great Quake of `89," was highest-rated with 13.2 percent of all households watching. ABC received a strong 24.2 rating and a 35 share for its earthquake coverage in the prime 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT time slot last night.

Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy called for an investigation to find out why the Bay Bridge was so badly damaged during the earthquake. McCarthy was the Acting Governor of California because Gov. Deukmejian was in Frankfort, West Germany.

Mark Smith of Los Angeles won a car in a KIIS-FM contest and promptly donated it to the Red Cross for earthquake relief. Disc Jockey Rick Dees and the station matched the $15,000 and gave Smith another car.

October 18, 1989
USGS scientist said they stood by their report warning of a major earthquake in Southern California by 2018. USGS Deputy Chief Gerry Wieczorek said "The information from last year's report is still good."

Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn, flew from San Diego to the Marina District. They left in four hours without making contact with Mayor Agnos, who had not slept since the earthquake. The mayor called the visit a "cheap publicity stunt." The Vice President reacted with deep emotion as he toured the Marina District. He said, "Just walking through here and seeing the loss of property, knowing of the loss of life, it hits you right here in the heart, and that's the reason I'm here."

Fire Chief Frederick F. Postel arrived at Moffett Field on a jet provided by the White House. The FBI helicoptered the chief to Central Fire Alarm Station on Turk St. where he took command of fire and rescue activities. Chief Postel was in Boston at the time of the earthquake.

October 19, 1989
Bank of California, owned by Mitsubishi, donated $500,000 for earthquake relief.

Dept. of Public Works reported that earthquake-damaged buildings include the Asian Art Museum, de Young Museum, The California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Main Library, Hall of Justice, Opera House, Richmond Police Station, Candlestick Park, the airport and Pier 45.

Earthquake in China killed 20 people. A spokesman at the State Seismological Institute said there was no known connection with the earthquake in San Francisco.

GAP stores donated $100,000 to earthquake relief programs.

IBM donated $200,000 to the Red Cross for earthquake relief.

Independent Insurance Agents of American said the earthquake was the sixth-costliest disaster in history. Damage, they said, might exceed $1 billion.

The Lefty O'Doul Bridge over Third St. remained closed until it could be inspected for earthquake damage.

The Oakland Athletics voted not to have any champagne in their clubhouse if they win the World Series. "Because of the earthquake and the feeling of the club, we didn't think it would be appropriate," A's player Dave Parker said.

The U.S. dollar closed lower at 141.55 yen in Tokyo because of the earthquake and the worsening trade deficit. A dealer at Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank says "Recent developments did not provide any incentive to buy dollars."

October 20, 1989
USGS scientists found the epicenter of the earthquake near Mt. Loma Prieta in Santa Cruz County. They said fissures hundreds of yards long, and wide as 20 inches, were found along the San Andreas Fault in the northeast corner of Nisene Marks State Park, near the head of Aptos Creek.

Association of California Insurance Companies said insurance payout for earthquake damage may reach $2 billion.

Bechtel Corp. sent 80 engineers to the Marina District at 9 a.m. to inspect homes and apartment buildings for earthquake damage.

Cal/OSHA said its offices at 455 and 525 Golden Gate Ave., and 350 McAllister St. were closed because of earthquake damage.

Citicorp/Citibank donated $150,000 to the Red Cross for earthquake relief.

Economist Frank McCormick of the Bank of America in San Francisco said earthquake damage was likely to reach $10 billion.

Fire Dept. ordered evacuation of 706 Polk St. and 149 New Montgomery because of earthquake damage.

Ford Motor Co. donated $500,000 to the earthquake relief fund.

General Motors donated $500,000 to the Red Cross for earthquake relief.

Chrysler donated $100,000 for earthquake relief.

Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York assisted in coping with Tuesday's devastating earthquake. In a letter to Gov. George Deukmejian, Cuomo said, "New York stands ready to assist in any way we can." The New York Air National Guard had already sent crews to relieve California Air Guard members.

Governor George Deukmejian told NBC-TV: "Over the six-and-a-half, nearly seven years, that I've been Governor, I've never once been told by our people that we had any kind of a problem with respect to our freeways holding up under an earthquake situation, the severity of the one that we experienced here. So this came as a big surprise to me, a terrible disappointment."

Great Western Bank gave $100,000 to the Red Cross for earthquake relief.

Mayor Agnos informed enraged survivors in the Marina District that they have just 15 minutes to enter their earthquake-damaged homes to retrieve belongings prior to demolition. 60 buildings in the Marina District were destroyed. Agnos did not win in Marina District precincts during the next mayoral election.

McDonnell Douglas employees donated $100,000 to the earthquake relief fund.

Nissan Motor Co. donated $300,000 to the Red Cross Earthquake Relief fund.

Novell computer company donated $50,000 to the United Way for earthquake relief.

Partial list of earthquake dead released. Killed in San Francisco included Jeffrey Choi, 50; Yuk Lin Lau, 34; Scott Dickinson, 3 1/2 months; Donald McGlinchy, 59; and Diane Laufer, 40. Timothy Moss, 40, of San Francisco, was killed on the Cypress Freeway.

Portland Red Cross chapter shipped bread and other supplies to earthquake victims in San Francisco.

President Bush arrived at Moffett Field Naval Air Station to tour areas damaged by earthquake. He was briefed by civic leaders, including Mayor Agnos.

Proctor & Gamble donated products worth $300,000 to earthquake victims.

Sony Corp. donated $1 million for San Francisco earthquake relief.

Tass news agency reported that the Soviet government offered to send doctors, geologists and rescue workers to assist with San Francisco earthquake relief.

October 22, 1989
More than 20,000 people gathered at the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park to hear the San Francisco Symphony and Chorus in a benefit concert of Beehoven's Ninth Symphony for earthquake survivors.

U.S. Navy helicopter carrier U.S.S. Peleliu housed 300 displaced earthquake victims who boarded at 1 p.m. at Pier 30-32. The Peleliu was one of three amphibious ships dispatched from San Diego to assist earthquake recovery efforts.

October 24, 1989
USGS today revised upward the magnitude of the Oct. 17 earthquake, from 6.9 to 7.1 on the Richter scale, after checking data from 18 seismic stations around the world.

Bank America Corp. shares dropped $1.25 on the New York Stock Exchange on an unfounded rumor that the bank's California and Kearny Street headquarters building was damaged by the earthquake. A bank spokesman said that the structure was not harmed by the temblor and isn't owned by the bank.

Bank of America Chairman and Chief Executive Officer A. W. Clausen was named chairman of the American Red Cross earthquake disaster relief campaign.

Congress began debate on an earthquake relief bill. "We were hit by ten times the amount of explosive power of World War II, including the atomic bomb," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "Please give us a chance to rebuild." A Wisconsin congressman complained that the median home price in San Francisco is $350,000, and Californians don't need help because of their waste and affluence.

First major convention since the earthquake opened at the Civic Auditorium. Don Dowd, spokesman for the Computer-Aided Software Engineering Conference and Exposition said, "Our keynote speaker addressed a full house and our exhibits are open as scheduled, with about 1,500 delegates in attendance. No one here is talking about the earthquake - they're talking about improving their information technology systems."

October 25, 1989
USGS scientists said there was a 50-50 chance that an earthquake big enough to cause more damage will strike during the next two months and urges officials to prepare.

Evangelist Billy Graham toured the Marina District today. "I don't think we can say this earthquake was sent by God," he said. "We have to keep in mind that he is a God of love, mercy. Why this earthquake took place, I can't explain. I can only explain God gives grace, peace, and strength to those who trust in Him."

John Beckman, a survivor of the 1906 earthquake, died in Sherman Oak, Ca. Beckman designed sets for the motion pictures "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," and the hit TV sitcom "Designing Women." He was 91.

Mayor Agnos said engineers have determined that Candlestick Park wasn't seriously damaged by the earthquake and game three of the world Series could play on Friday. Rain hampered both the A's and the Giants in their attempts to practice at Candlestick. The A's go to Phoenix for workouts today and tomorrow.

Pacific Union Co. said there was no evidence the earthquake will effect the real estate market. "Contrary to what the rest of the U.S. might believe, buyer interest has actually increased since last week's earthquake," said William Jansen, president of Pacific Union Residential Brokerage. "Many buyers hope to find good deals as a result of an expected seller's panic," he said.

San Francisco Chronicle poll showed three out of four residents in 10 Bay Area counties admitted having emotional problems since the earthquake. About two-thirds said they were worried about another major tremor.

October 26, 1989
Chronicle Architecture Critic Allen Temko slammed Caltrans in the morning paper. He wrote, "If Caltrans hadn't been ponderously inefficient and understaffed, bereft of research funds and otherwise reduced almost to a maintenance agency by the parsimony of Jerry Brown and the belatedly furious George Deukmejian, a mile of Interstate 880 might not have been swatted down by an earthquake it should have ridden out easily."

President Bush signed a $3.45 billion earthquake relief package for California.

San Francisco Examiner published a 16-page earthquake photo section documenting the day of the earthquake and its aftermath.

The California Office of Tourism suggested that earthquake effects were exaggerated. In a news release it said, "The greater San Francisco Bay Area has rebounded quickly from a major earthquake that struck the region on Oct. 17. Damage to lodging facilities, convention centers and attractions was minimal, and all major airports in the area are open and operating at full service."

October 27, 1989
Officials of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies canceled their disaster drill because of the earthquake. Yael Danieli, an Israeli psychologist and president of the society, said Northern California is handling the quake in a "typically American" manner not allowing the quake to interfere with events such as the World Series.

Southern Pacific inaugurated round-the-bay shuttle service between Oakland and San Francisco to help in the distribution of freight while earthquake damage to bridges and highways were being repaired.

The California Grape and Tree Fruit League delivered a truckload of fresh fruit for earthquake survivors at Glide Memorial Church.

October 28, 1989
A 3.1-magnitude earthquake aftershock hit at 2:28 p.m.

California Conservation Corps. members continued to work 24-hour shifts to help Marina District residents retrieve valuables from their homes and assist with traffic control. The San Francisco Conservation Corps also provided meals to earthquake victims in the Tenderloin.

City Archivist Gladys Hansen wanted to know where you were when the earthquake hit. She was compiling the stories of all Bay Area residents as she and her staff of five began what she called "the most important" earthquake project of all. She asked people from all over the Bay Area to write or record their memories of what happened to them. So far, she has received about 50 letters.

Evangelist Virgi Rosemond preached through a bullhorn at Halladie Plaza today. "Jesus said he would send earthquakes to Godless places. This city's wicked, like Sodom and Gomorrah, where men love men more than they love God," she railed on behalf of the True Hope Pentecostal Church of God.

Part of the proceeds of the 10th annual Exotic Erotic Halloween Ball went to earthquake relief. More than 10,000 celebrants attended.

San Francisco law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe donated an additional $100,000 to the earthquake relief effort, which brought its total donation to $150,000.

October 29, 1989
Japanese Red Cross Society sent 5 million yen to the American Red Cross to help earthquake victims.

Jefferson Airplane earthquake relief concert at Golden Gate Park's Polo Field.

October 30, 1989
Bridge crews completed realignment of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The structure likely will be open by the Nov. 17 deadline set by Caltrans, according to James Roberts, the agency's chief bridge engineer. Roberts said the force of the earthquake jerked the span five inches north, shearing one-inch diameter bolts and pulling the road section away from its underlying support. Each bolt, one-inch in diameter and six inches long, was designed to withstand a force of 500,000 pounds. Roberts estimated the force that damaged the bridge at 2 million pounds of thrust, substantially more than the 1.8 million pounds of thrust required for the takeoff of the space shuttle.

The U.S. Court of Appeals and Post Office facilities at 7th and Mission streets suffered extensive damage in the earthquake and will remain closed until repaired. The building was severely damaged in 1906.

October 31, 1989
FEMAs top medical-disaster coordinator went on vacation immediately after the earthquake. Lt. Col. Jerry M. Brown was medical coordinator for the Office of Mobilization Preparedness. He had scheduled vacation leave and purchased nonrefundable airline tickets, according to FEMA spokesman Bill McAda.

October 31, 1989
The earthquake prompted Woodland Hills-based Yale Management Services Inc. to implement a detailed evacuation and survival preparedness plan for its apartment and condominium complexes throughout the San Fernando Valley. The plan will provide more than 1,000 of Yale's tenants with American Red Cross-trained evacuation and survival classes, as well as access to earthquake survival kits that will include a three-day supply of food and water, blankets, 12-hour light sticks and medical supplies.

November 1, 1989
4.4 aftershock struck at 9:50 p.m., centered slightly north of the epicenter of last month's earthquake. San Francisco police reported very minor damage in the Marina District.

November 2 1989
Actor Paul Newman donated $250,000 and 10,000 pounds of his spaghetti sauce to victims of the earthquake. Nell Newman, the actor's daughter, presents the money to the American Red Cross quake relief fund in San Francisco.

November 3, 1989
In Sacramento, an Assembly committee speedily approved a one- year, quarter-cent sales tax increase to finance California's share of earthquake relief efforts, as lawmakers convened in the Capitol in a special legislative session.

The San Francisco earthquake spurred Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre to propose an earthquake safety ballot bond measure for L.A. to provide up to $300 million for seismic improvements to city buildings, housing projects, bridges and unreinforced apartment buildings. Alatorre's proposal was expected to be considered by the L.A. council Tuesday.

November 4, 1989
A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck the Hayward fault at 11:16 p.m. near San Leandro. USGS spokeswoman Pat Jorgenson said it was the first significant tremor on the Hayward fault since a 4.7-magnitude quake in 1984.

Gov. Deukmejian named 10 members to a Board of Inquiry to investigate collapses of Cypress Freeway and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The panel was headed by nationally known earthquake engineering expert George Housner.

November 6, 1989
Gov. Deukmejian signed a 24-bill package designed to immediately assist victims of the October 17 earthquake.

November 7, 1989
Proposition P, to build a new baseball stadium, lost by less than 2,000 votes. Mayor Agnos said there was nothing to stop the Giants from moving to nearby Santa Clara. Critics of the proposition claimed stadium construction would take money away from earthquake recovery efforts.

November 13, 1989
BART ridership totaled 345,891, the fifth-highest daily total since Oct. 23. Including Oct. 23, the first full workday since the Oct. 17 earthquake, BART patronage totaled nearly 5 million during the 15 weekdays through Friday, Nov. 10. The exact total was 4,962,181, an average of 330,812 a day. Patronage on a typical weekday prior to the earthquake was 218,000.

November 14, 1989
Hurricane Hugo and the San Francisco earthquake caused enough damage to make 1989 the worst year ever for insured catastrophe losses. The private property insurance industry expected to pay a total of $6.63 billion on 31 catastrophes in 1989.

November 15, 1989
FEMA news conference to deny charges of discrimination against low-income people affected by the earthquake.

November 15, 1989
The Federal Reserve Board said the strike against Boeing Co. and the earthquake pushed production at U.S. factories, mines, and utilities down a sharp 0.7 percent in October.

November 16, 1989
Hearing on the earthquake and its effects on the California wine industry held in Gonzales, California, by the Assembly Select Committee on California Wine Production and Economy.

November 18, 1989
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge reopened today. Caltrans had hoped to open the bridge the previous day, the one-month anniversary of the earthquake, but two foggy nights created enough moisture to interrupt stripe painting.

November 25, 1989
Jane Cryan, founder of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of San Francisco Refugee Shacks said the 1989 earthquake "threw me for a loop. I have decided to begin life anew in my home state of Wisconsin and am returning to my ancestral town of Oshkosh."

November 27, 1989
San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos and a city delegation begian a three- day junket to explain earthquake recovery plans with leaders of the tourism industry. Stops included Chicago, New York, and Washington. Tourism was down 10 to 20 percent.

December 1, 1989
Quarter-cent sales tax went into effect to finance earthquake repairs.

December 3, 1989
BART ended all-night "Owl" service established after the earthquake.

December 11, 1989
Vallejo City Council approved contracts to conduct a study to see if ferries or high-speed water transit had a larger, permanent role to play in highway congestion relief and emergency preparedness. Use of ferry boats was very effective after the earthquake.

December 13, 1989
California Senate Subcommittee on Earthquake Insurance hearings on the Loma Prieta earthquake, to examine how well insurance covers damage losses. The hearing held at the P.U.C. Auditorium in San Francisco.

State officials said homeowners cannot be penalized if they refused to pay for mandatory earthquake insurance required under a new law that takes effect next July.

December 15, 1989
FEMA reported 90 homeless earthquake victims were still sheltered at the old Pierce Arrow automobile showroom on Polk St.

December 19, 1989
Red Cross toy distribution to children of earthquake survivors began at the Red Cross shelter and headquarters at 1550 Sutter St.

December 29, 1989
Apple Computer Inc. said its net income fell 11 percent in the quarter that ended Dec. 29 largely because of expenses stemming from cost-reduction programs and damage from the earthquake.


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