Last updated: July 29, 2019
Article
1906 Earthquake and the Army
![Soldiers in the streets of San Francisco after 1906 earth quake. Soldiers in the streets of San Francisco after 1906 earth quake.](/prsf/learn/historyculture/images/earthquake-intro.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA (GOGA-1766)
Within hours of the earthquake, U. S. Army troops stationed at the Presidio and other nearby posts responded to help city authorities maintain order and fight fires. The Army also established communications, gave medical treatment, distributed supplies, and provided food, water, shelter, and sanitation in the following days and weeks. Some San Franciscans felt fear and others reassurance at seeing armed soldiers in the streets. This is a story of heroism and valor, order and organization, but also controversy as much of the initial Army response was improvised due to the lack of clear guidelines.
Follow the links below to learn more about the army’s role in the aftermath of the infamous 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
![Refugee tent camp at the Presidio Refugee tent camp at the Presidio](/prsf/learn/historyculture/images/EQ-camp3A.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
Bob Bowen collection