Photos: Remembering the Great Quake

San Franciscans gather downtown to mark the 100th anniversary of the great earthquake of 1906.

By Bill Detwiler, Editor in Chief, TechRepublic on July 19, 2006

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1949 gas-powered fire engine

San Franciscans gathered Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the great earthquake of 1906. In front of City Hall, fire engines from the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum commemorated the firefighters who worked to save the city.

This 1949 gas-powered fire engine is a self-contained triple combination truck that carried ladders, water and hoses.

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draft horses

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.

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1899 steam-powered fire engine

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.

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