McNear: The 1906 earthquake shattered buildings across Northern California

The most significant loss in Caspar, Calif. during a 1906 earthquake in Northern California was Mendocino Lumber Mill’s railroad bridge, which spanned Jughandle Creek. The bridge stood at 145 feet high and cost $15,000 to replace. (Kelley House Museum via Bay City News)

At approximately 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, Northern California was rocked with an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale (more recent research measures it at 7.7-7.9 on the Mercalli Intensity scale). San Francisco took significant damage during this event, but damage was documented along the San Andreas fault from San Juan Bautista to the Cape of Mendocino. Many buildings along the Mendocino coast suffered, especially brick buildings and chimneys.

At the Mendocino Lumber Mill, the 100-foot chimney had stood for 42 years and survived other earthquakes but could not withstand one of this magnitude. An iron chimney was ordered to replace it, likely to avoid reconstructing it in the event of another quake. This damage wasn’t the worst incurred at the mill; the 15-ton fly wheel was broken apart, and the basement supports split and shifted out of place.