Episode 16 - The Little Fire Hydrant That Could

Sometimes we overlook the simple things in our lives that protect us.  In this episode I want to look at the story behind the story of one such common place fixture throughout the US and other countries throughout the world.  It is a single solitary fire hydrant that saved the day during the raging fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Reference:  

FireRescue 1 (https://www.firerescue1.com)

Historic Marker Database (https://www.hmdb.org)

Transcript

Hello Friends,

 I’m your host Dave Laton and welcome to Signs of Our Time, Discovering America’s heritage, one sign at a time.

 This podcast is designed to provide the story behind the story found on America’s roadside historical signs and markers.  

 When I was a child, I really enjoyed the 1930 children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could.”  I enjoyed the bravery and persistence of a small train engine that saved the train and pulled it over great hills.  It teaches us optimism and hard work.   

Well, there is one real-life example of this principle in San Francisco.  It is the Golden Hydrant.

Here’s the story behind the story.

One of the most destructive forces of nature is an earthquake.  Damage can be extensive even beyond the immediate area of the earthquake.  In the United States, there have been many earthquakes, some quite remarkable.  The most powerful earthquake in US history was the great Alaskan earthquake in 1964.  It was a 9.2 magnitude that lasted for 4.5 minutes.  In addition to its physical destruction to the land and homes of south-central Alaska, it claimed 139 lives.   

The earthquake I want to focus on in this episode was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.  It was a 7.9 magnitude earthquake.  This may seem small compared to the Alaskan earthquake, but the resulting damage was far greater.  It resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths and over 300,000 people were left homeless.  The resulting fire destroyed approximately 80% of the city.

While the earthquake itself caused significant damage, it was the fires, fueled by ruptured gas mains that caused the most damage.  Also, water lines burst, preventing firefighters from having the ability to extinguish fires.

Now I want to focus on one fire hydrant that not only survived the earthquake, but was able to provide water.  It was the little fire hydrant that could.  This lone fire hydrant was located in the historic mission district.  It survived the quake and supplied firefighters with enough water to extinguish the fires in the immediate area.  

As the fire raged, firefighters scoured the city seeking water to douse fires that continued for days after the quake.  Finally, lone operational hydrant was discovered at the corner of Church and 20th streets.  But the horses that pulled the fire wagons were too exhausted to climb the hill to reach it.  Several residents helped firefighters hoop ropes to the engines and pull them up to the corner.  The firefighters were able to produce enough water flow to extinguish the fires in the area.  

Following the event and the rebuilding of San Franscisco, a tradition was born.  Every year on April 18th, fire department members and relatives of earthquake survivors gather at Lotta’s Fountain, which also survived the quake and proceed to Dolores Park where the fire hydrant is located.  Then at 5:12, the exact time of the Great Earthquake that struck San Francisco, the hydrant is painted gold.  Hence the nickname of the golden hydrant.  It stands proudly as an example of the resiliency of the firefighters and residents to survive and thrive. 

Today there is a plaque at the site of the hydrant, donated by the Upper Noe Valley Neighborhood Council.  It was dedicated in 1966 to “Chief Dennis Sullivan and the men who fought the Great Fire and to the spirit of the people of San Francisco.”

Today, throughout the US cities have adopted the changes made to firefighting in cities and other disaster response efforts.  We often take for granted the fire hydrants and other systems developed following the San Franscisco fire.  These short, stout red sentinels stand guard over lives and property.  But the champion hydrant stands alone and tall, the golden hydrant of San Franscisco.

Well friends, there you have it.  A story behind the story from America’s historical signs and markers.  I hope you enjoyed this episode.  I invite you to subscribe and continue listening as we bring more episodes about the rich heritage of our great nation.

Please share this podcast with others.  If you have interesting stories about historical signs and markers, email me at: americanhistoricalmarkers@gmail.com.  Maybe your story behind the story will be featured.

I’m your host Dave Laton and thank you for listening, and safe travels!