The 120th Anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire was commemorated with a pre-dawn ceremony at Lotta’s Fountain at the intersection of Market, Geary, and Kearny streets on April 18, 2026. The program was led by Bob Sarlatte, the “voice of the 49ers,” who led a riveting retelling of what happened during that fateful day and period in San Francisco’s history.
Following the storytelling program there was a ceremonial wreath-laying on the fountain, which dates to 1875 and was a significant meeting point in the aftermath of the earthquake and fire. “Lotta” refers to the actress Lotta Crabtree (1847–1924), who originally commissioned the fountain. Crabtree never married, often donned male attire, and was one of the wealthiest and most beloved entertainers of her time. (Her final public appearance was in 1915 when she came out of retirement to appear at Lotta Crabtree Day in San Francisco.)
At 5:12 am during the ceremony, there was a moment of silence, followed by a “Siren Salute” from a fleet of historic fire apparatus at the exact moment the earthquake began. For the first time since the 2006 centennial, the Guardians showcased the 1928 Kleiber Light Wagon 2, a rare, San Francisco-built treasure and the last truck of its kind in existence.
There was then a community sing-along of the city’s anthem, “San Francisco,” led by a living history interpreter portraying the legendary Lillie Hitchcock Coit (1843–1929). (Coit too enjoyed wearing men’s attire, and was the benefactor for the construction of another important landmark in the city: Coit Tower.)
The commemoration at this point moved to 20th and Church streets for the annual painting of The Little Giant—formerly known as The Golden Fire Hydrant—at 3899 20th Street, which famously saved the Mission District. San Francisco Bay Times columnists Rafael Mandelman, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Joanie Juster; and Donna Sachet joined former Mayor Willie Brown, Fire Chief Dean Crispen, Police Chief Derrick Lew, and other city leadership and participants for the ceremony.
Published on April 23, 2026
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