On this day in history April 18, 1906 tragedy strikes (in San Francisco)

[BobPalma]

An interesting analysis in Post #15, Ron; thanks for the information/insights. BP

[Mikado282]

The canvas tent of the Hartford Circus fire in 1944 was waterproofed with paraffin and kerosene. I would assume that similar or the same treatment to the folding canvas tops on horse drawn carriages built by Studebaker and other makers at the beginning of the 1900's would be easily flammable.

[8E45E]

Can anyone remember the controversy on the flammable materials used in upholstery materials during the seventies and eighties. It led to legislation on mandatory treatments for household upholstery materials as well as Children's clothing I believe.

No Craig. The windows were of glass or a mica based material called isinglass. However the linings in the tops were of the same material as the upholstery and also often quite flammable. Glass was used in enclosed vehicles like coaches and isinglass was used in open vehicles like the standing top surrey in the second floor picture.

Yes, I do remember the 'controversy' over that; with New York and Los Angeles having the most stringent fire codes in the world. Seems to me there was a book or an essay written some 30 years ago by the owner of factory in the garment district in NYC that made infant sleepwear, where his product was sold everywhere in the world BUT those two cities. IIRC, his article was titled 'The Ununited States' from a business/marketing standpoint. A portion of his essay did include cars; about how there were separate '49-state' cars vs. 'California' cars at the time, and certain equipment that was required in one state, or unlawful in another state, but in other states it was legal, or not required.

You are probably correct. 1906 might be too early for see-through celluloid sheet.

Craig

[Studebaker Wheel]

The building shown in my original post was at the corner of Market and 10th streets or 201 to 207 Market. After the quake and fire Studebaker moved its headquarters east to 1325 Market temporarily. They had a giant fire sale and sold all of the vehicles damaged in the fire. The building is long gone.

[JLB]

At approx. this time (actually 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906) a giant earthquake struck the San Francisco area and it along with the resultant fire would kill at least 3000 people and destroy nearly 80% of the city. At the time Studebaker had a major presence on the west coast and its headquarters were located in San Francisco. Like most of the other major buildings the Studebaker headquarters suffered heavy damage and nearly all of its inventory damaged beyond repair. Naturally the home office in South Bend was interested in learning the extent of the damage and to that end a professional photographer was hired to document the loss. I have several of the photographs from that contract showing both the exterior and the interior on all four floors. I am providing a few of those sepia photos below. Note the building itself survived both the quake and fire. Oh, and for the record April 18th is also the date of Paul Revere's famous ride (in 1775) but I could not find a Studebaker connection to that event.

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My grandfather was in San Francisco on business on April 18, 1906, and lived to tell about the experience. In 1989, I was in San Francisco on October 17th sitting in Candlestick Park, waiting for The World Series to start when the '89 earthquake hit.Took four days to get a flight out. I've told my Grandsons to avoid SF, as we seem to have a thing for San Francisco earthquakes!

[qsanford]

I think this post demonstrates, again, how integral a part of History the Studebaker story is. They were (and still are) everywhere! (We just have to look a little harder now!)

[57pack]

The canvas tent of the Hartford Circus fire in 1944 was waterproofed with paraffin and kerosene. I would assume that similar or the same treatment to the folding canvas tops on horse drawn carriages built by Studebaker and other makers at the beginning of the 1900's would be easily flammable.

We lived in East Hartford in 1944, my older sister and my Mom were there that day.
Always terrified them when the story was told or when a special should come on the tv. I was at my Grandmothers as I was only three and Dad was in Europe someplace on the AEF plan.
Thanks for posting the photos, interesting in the first photo the two fellows repairing the phone or electrical wires.

[StudeRich]

This is the first I have ever seen or heard of the Studebaker Corp. or maybe at the time, Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co. being called "STUDEBAKERS"!

I know the employees always referred to it as Studebakers, but never the Co.