Photos: Remembering the Great Quake

In the mid-19th century, firefighters used draft horses to pull steam-powered engines. The first self-propelled fire engine was built in 1841, but didn't become commonplace until much later.

An 1899 steam-powered, horse-drawn American Metropolitan fire engine. A separate wagon carrying firemen, hoses and equipment would have accompanied this engine to the scene.

A 1907 American Metropolitan fire engine is on display in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium near San Franisco's City Hall.