Mayor Gavin Newsom: City Rose from the Ashes

From the days of the Gold Rush and the Barbary Coast, to the Summer of Love and the high-tech revolution, San Francisco's past is rich with lore and intrigue.

But perhaps the single most defining moment in the City's history was the 1906 earthquake and fire. This catastrophe leveled virtually the entire City.

But true to the enduring spirit of San Francisco, residents responded with honor and heroism. In the months and years following the temblor, the City recovered and was rebuilt.

Today, we have risen from the ashes of the "great quake" to become an economic powerhouse and cultural epicenter. To celebrate this civic spirit, we have developed a series of events with the theme: San Francisco Rising!

As we commemorate the anniversary of the quake and fire and celebrate the enduring spirit of our people, we will also educate the community on important public safety and disaster preparedness issues. Over the coming weeks, the Web site www.SFrising.org will be updated with more information about the City's commemorative events and activities. We hope that you will use this Web site not only as a tool to plan your centennial celebrations, but also to find information about how to prepare yourself for an emergency.

Listed below are some of the events planned in commemoration of San Francisco Rising! as we observe the anniversary of the 1906 quake and fire in San Francisco.

Event: Memorial at Lotta's Fountain Date: Tuesday, April 18 Time: 4:30 a.m. -5:30 a.m. Location: Lotta's Fountain at Market and Kearny streets You are invited to join us in remembering those who lost their lives in the 1906 earthquake and the ensuing firestorm at a ceremony to be held at Lotta's Fountain in the heart of the Financial District.

The memorial at Lotta's Fountain, originally organized by the South of Market Boys Club, has been a San Francisco tradition for more than 85 years. Each year, a small group of survivors are honored at the fountain, where a wreath is laid at the moment the earthquake struck, shortly after 5 a.m. The oldest surviving monument in San Francisco, Lotta's Fountain was donated by singer/dancer Charlotte Mignon Lotta Crabtree in 1875.

After the earthquake in 1906, the fountain, which was one of the few remaining structures on Market Street, became a central meeting place for San Franciscans.

Event: Exposition Date: Friday, April 15, and Sunday, April 17 Time: 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Location: Port of San Francisco at Pier 48

San Francisco Rising has partnered with the San Francisco Fire Department Historical Society to present The 1906 Great Earthquake & Fire Exposition. The free exposition will be the largest event of its kind commemorating the 100th anniversary of the earthquake and fire. The three days of activities surrounding the exposition will include emergency preparedness information and demonstrations; historical exhibits with vintage fire apparatus; historical artifacts and photographic displays; and fireboat tours and displays. An old-time Firefighter Muster with bucket brigades, hose cart races, hand-operated fire pumps from the 1800s, steamer operation and horse-drawn engines are sure to delight.

The exposition will also feature live entertainment, food and beverages, and the 1906 Great Earthquake & Fire Dance on Saturday night, April 15. The dance will feature a turn-of-the-century costume contest. For more information about the exposition, go to the Web site at www.1906expo.org.

Event: SFFD Parade Location: Market Street, Civic Center to Justin Herman Plaza

Sponsored by San Francisco Firefighters, a parade of historic fire trucks and other vehicles will travel down Market Street to mark the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and fire, honoring the important role San Francisco's first responders played in the event itself and throughout the city's history.

Walking Tours Date: Every Saturday in April Time: 10 a.m. to noon (rain or shine) Location: Old U.S. Mint at Fifth and Mission streets

In honor of the 1906 earthquake and fire centennial anniversary, we will be leading special earthquake tours of the Barbary Coast Trail every Saturday morning in April. Join us and hear tales of the tragedies and triumphs, devastation and renewal of those fateful days. Learn how the Old Mint was saved from certain destruction. See the landmark where survivors gathered to reunite with friends and loved-ones. Find out how the City's premier hotel continued to operate as its destroyed building was restored. Visit the only structure in Chinatown to have survived the disaster.

The tours guides include experts about our history, including: Daniel Bacon (April 1); Jeanne Beaudet (April 8); Ariel Conn (April 15); Leiasa Beckham (April 22); and Jeanne Beaudet (April 29).

For more information about the tours, go to the Web site at www.sfhistory.org. Gavin Newsom is the mayor of San Francisco.