Observers

While working on revisions to Shaken, I’ve been digging back into my original research and trying to immerse myself in the time period. I’m always amazed when I look at all of the photos of the 1906 quake. In many ways, they are eerily similar to photos taken in the recent Italy earthquake. I thought I would share a few photos with you today that have really moved me this week. I am most drawn to the people in the photographs. It is really powerful to try to get into the moment and imagine what they are thinking and feeling as they observe what is going on around them.

[I apologize to the historical society’s that may have copyright on these. I’ve lost track of where I found which photos. I do not plan on using any photos in the book itself, it’s purely for research purposes at present.]

The photo above shows people gathering shortly after the first quake. They are looking downhill toward the fires that are burning in the areas south of Market and the financial district. You’ve got to wonder what they are thinking as they look at the rising plumes of smoke. Do they have any idea that those flames will soon be consuming the neighborhood in which they are standing? Is it idle curiosity at that moment or do they have an inkling of what is ahead? Over the next three days those fires consumed 490 city blocks.

This woman is sitting just outside the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The exhaustion and pressure of the day is evident in her demeanor as she perches on the edge of a steamer trunk. Many refugees hauled what they could down to the ferry building and fled across the bay to safety. I love the man standing down-photo from her. He looks like a cowboy getting ready for a shoot-out. Do you think he knows her? What is he thinking as he observes her grief?

In the photo above, author Henry Lafler types away in Portsmouth square. His typewriter is sitting on a trunk, probably abandoned by someone in attempt to flee the oncoming flames. Take a close look at the bare ground in front of him. Do you see the shovel? The square had been used as an overflow area for the city morgue. Now the fires were pressing in, officials quickly ordered a temporary burial. Only a reporter could calmly sit there typing up a story with fresh graves directly in front of him and smoke from the oncoming flames rolling down the street. Then again, today, how many of us would be out there with our blackberry, digital camera or laptop computer? Maybe we are all casual observers of the events around us.

Another thing I’ve been researching this week is the history of women’s fashions, particularly underwear. Whatever you do, don’t try this on the Internet. You can get some pretty creepy information. Trust me, I’ll spare you THOSE photos!