San Francisco Earthquake and Fire 
April 18, 1906
The Catholic Church, a major institution in the city, was hit hard by the devastating disasters of 1906. The fire destroyed twelve churches, along with their attendant schools, hospitals, orphanages and two colleges. The seminary and cathedral, along with many other churches, were damaged in the earthquake. Catholics from around the country sent donations that helped to rebuild the San Francisco church quickly. (Future convert Dorothy Day witnessed the events from nearby Oakland, and described them in her autobiography, The Long Loneliness [1952].)
Photo courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (public domain)
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