Historic Film: Market Street 1906

Morley Safer reports on a mystery that was solved about a 100-year-old film that we now know was made on San Francisco's Market Street just days before the 1906 earthquake.

[deedeeross]

This film is priceless. My Papa, who was born in S.F. In 1885, possibly walked down Market St. on the day that film was made. He walked everywhere. Interesting to see Market St. through his eyes.

[AlonsoRules]

Who else finds the research just as fascinating as the film

[dorothykelly]

absolutely a treasure from the past. May San Francisco stay as beautiful as it is today. 2015. my son and his wife live there. I have visited many times and love it. Awesome

[jantipper]

Wow !!! Thank You for this gift...What an incredible journey to unearth the story behind this footage...

[kenowens]

After the earthquake, the Miles Brothers re-shot Market Street with all the ruins. This film was recently found as well.

[theaterdreamer]

Just occasionally, the world serves us notice that we are here only by its good graces. Life as we know it can change quickly, because of a new virus, or an earthquake, or a hurricane. When I watch this footage, my appreciation for life is renewed. Each day is a blessing. We are not guaranteed anything on this Earth. May we all cherish the tine we are given, and those we share it with.

[hebneh]

I just remembered that my great-grandfather was the president of the Market Street Railway, which ran these streetcars - but that was a few years later, around 1910-1915.

[buddyrichable]

This is as close to a time machine as we may ever come.
Essentially what we are seeing is what existed on that day in 1906, exactly as our own eyes would have seen it. Not a drawing or written account, but a precise image of what existed.
Because we live in the “eternal now” the past and future are as inaccessible as a distant galaxy. But
with all the film that exists today, people 100 years from now, just from news broadcasts alone, will know every intimate detail of our lives. Nothing will have to be left to guess work.

[jtoo]

Can't believe how many people were on Market Street back then. That place was packed.

[HerAeolianHarp]

Very indebted to David for his unflagging efforts! Thanks to him! Great 60 Minutes segment. Anyone interested in Silent Films made in the Bay Area should visit the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Niles (Fremont).

[webbmechannel]

Seeing horse and carriage, trolleys, cars and bicycle's all together on a street is such a different sight!

[Eduardo-uoqs]

Congratulation for the research. It is wonderful and very important to see people care the past in beautiful B&W films. From Rio, Brazil.

[matthewdavenport]

Fantastic story and fascinating history. There was no measurable rainfall between April 1, 1906 and April 22, 1906. How standing puddles of water were still there two weeks after the last rainfall is puzzling. The Miles Brothers said it was filmed "one week before" the earthquake, which would fix it around April 11, and evidence strongly suggests it was a Saturday (since businesses were open and kids were not on Easter vacation from school until the week of April 17), which would be April 8 not April 15.

[ricksf]

I love this film. Morley Safer, 60 Minutes, SF 1906. Amazing.

[seannewhouse]

It finally stirred me about how this all is a LITERAL window to our past

[bethbartlett]

*Bravo David, * your intuitive desire for a clarity of a time gone by, gives us splendid visual and yet a heartfelt sadness, none with us today, and some left way early.

That hard to define essence one gets when viewing actual subjects and events of the past, (like footage of the Titanic), can be an oddly familiar yet a gray sad feeling...
A mixed emotions in the now.

Wonder what that is ...?

[testpilot]

You will never know how much I appreciate this . Thank you so much.👌

[LeeDee]

I love how the license plates simply consisted of 4 numbers.

[nelsonumama]

When he said the Video Started Around 8th Street, I got on Google Maps and Looked up the Hotel Whitcomb only place I've stayed at in SF. AND 8th Street and Market was The Intersection. Mind blown walked those side walks Back to the Whitcomb on the Left

[dormouse]

Imagine that, no road rules and there wasn't chaos.