Time Machine: See Market Street in San Francisco Days Before the 1906 Quake
January 19, 2010 by Patrick Madrid
Filed under Patrick's Blog
This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!). It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing.
And here’s what Market Street looks like today, over 99 years later:
This is both interesting and funny. I wonder how many accidents happened with everyone going and coming wherever and whenever they want.
I prefer the "then" as opposed to "now" — Now, it feels tight and closed in. The buildings are taller, and make me feel claustrophobic.
Different times, same civilization.