After the Ruins

2006 marks the centennial of the great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. Throughout the year many events will be held to commemorate the signature event in the City's history. Among the first is "After the Ruins, 1906 and 2006 Rephotographing the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire," an exhibit at the Legion of Honor museum in Lincoln Park.

Photographer Mark Klett selected 48 pictures taken after the 1906 earthquake; many by Arnold Genthe, perhaps the best known photographer in San Francisco in the early 20th century. Klett then identified the spots from which the original photos were taken and rephotographed the sites today. Among my favorites are the vistas from Nob Hill and "Stairs that Lead to Nowhere." The latter is a rare nighttime photograph of the fire.

I recommend listening to Klett's interviews on one of the two computers at the end of the exhibit. He talks about selecting the photos and the challenges in determining the exact locations from which they were taken.

This exhibit runs through June 4. The Legion of Honor is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month.

Take a custom tour of San Francisco and we can visit the Legion of Honor and nearby Sea Cliff. To schedule your private tour, call me at (866) 326-4237 or mail me by clicking here.