Thursday, January 27, 2011

Postcard Frienship Friday - Shakey History



Postcard of San Francisco City Hall as it looked just prior to the 1906 earthquake

This massive building takes up a full two city blocks in the civic center area of San Francisco.



After the 1906 earthquake it looked like this




Reconstruction began 1913


The writer of this 1915 message appears to be a bit confused. He seems to think he is in Boston. Perhaps he is just telling a story of his whereabouts to Miss Irene - he figures she doesn't get off of Prince Edward Island all that much. He's banking that she'll not notice the postmark or check her geography book and see Boston is nowhere near San Francisco. Never was. Not before the earthquake and not after.


Construction was completed in time for the World's Panama Pacific exposition in 1915

1915 view (Boston is 3,100 miles due east)

More reconstruction was required after the 1986 earth quake caused further damage and twisted the dome 4 inches on it's base. It has since received a seismic upgrade that prevents the dome from acting like a pendulum in response to seismic waves.



View on of January 14, 2011 while I admired the beauty of the historic building in person.
105 years after the earthquake. Looks quite sturdy to me!




The amazing night view! The dome is bathed in cornflower blue and silvery white



Here's to bridging the past and the present

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

Stop by The Best Hearts Are Crunchy! for more PFF Posts!

15 comments:

Aimee said...

What a beautiful building. I especially like the night view of it. We went to San Francisco a few years ago...beautiful city. We were only there for a day so we didn't get to do much. I'd love to go back....but I won't be going via Boston. :)

Tete said...

This is a great post and so fun that you have all the images to tell the story with... including the poor man who doesn't quite know where he's at- or was.
Happy PFF!
Tete

viridian said...

happy PFF! SF is a beautiful city in beautiful surroundings. Too bad about the earthquakes.

Joy said...

Fascinating history through cards. Looks lovely lit up at night.

Funoldhag said...

Loved your post and the cards and other pictures. Have never been to San Francisco but it must be beautiful. Enjoyed the before and after pictures of the city hall. Unbelievable. Nice story of the building up to now.

Postcardy said...

The "after" picture is very interesting. I am surprised it suffered more damage later.

Terry said...

Howdy
Happy PFF .
Oh poor Miss Irene ,maybe as time goes on she will take off those blinders for a moment and pull off a surprise of her own :)
Thank you for yet another amazing postcard complete with background .
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend !!!!!!!

Snap said...

Interesting history of this beautiful building. Love the night shot. Happy PFF!

grace said...

thanks for visiting my postcard blog. love the cards and the history.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

It's a wonderful building, both before and after. I'm happy to hear it's now a lot more sturdy.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi,

What an awesome post. Thanks for all the history and updates.

I appreciate you stopping by and saying hello. I am your newest follower. I really enjoyed your collages also.

Have a great weekend,
Kathy

Kathy

Rebecca said...

What a very informative post-thanks for sharing all those details with us!

Dorincard said...

Great post! :)

Maureen Walsh said...

San Francisco conjures up such a feeling of romance and liberation!
Thank you. Wonderful memories!
MaureenX
http://wwworphanstones.blogspot.com

Carole said...

I'm so behind in viewing last weeks entries!

Great cards!