Rebirth

Two days after Easter we celebrated another resurrection, the rebirth of the City from the ashes of the great earthquake that destroyed it 100 years ago. The earthquake struck before electronic communication became widespread (California Governor Pardee telegraphed to Mayor Schmitz: “am appalled by the great calamity to San Francisco, only meager details of which have reached me”) and before relief supplies or rescue workers could be imported instantaneously and en masse. The Bay Area was on its own.

Yet, within the span of ten years the people had rebuilt San Francisco to the point where it could host the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915. One domed building constructed during that era is testimony to the optimistic spirit of that age and constitutes one of the City’s famous landmarks. In Palo Alto to the south, the first president of a fledgling university surveyed the wreckage and declined a post at the Smithsonian: "I am sure that my place is here”. A young San Mateo banker set up a makeshift office on the wharf and made loans based on a handshake; he later introduced branch banking to California and built one of the largest banks in the world.

When it is our turn, who will answer the call? © 2006 Stephen Yuen

The Market St. parade concluded with ceremonies at Justin Herman Plaza.