Centennial Commemorations
The 1906 Centennial Alliance was set up as a clearing-house for various centennial events commemorating the earthquake. Award presentations, religious services, a National Geographic TV movie, a projection of fire onto the Coit Tower, memorials, and lectures were part of the commemorations. The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program issued a series of Internet documents, and the tourism industry promoted the 100th anniversary as well.
Eleven survivors of the 1906 earthquake attended the centennial commemorations in 2006, including Irma Mae Weule, who was the oldest survivor of the quake at the time of her death in 2008 at the age of 109. Vivian Illing (December 25, 1900 – January 22, 2009) was believed to be the second-oldest survivor at the time of her death, leaving Herbert Hamrol (January 10, 1903 – February 4, 2009) as the last known remaining survivor at the time of his death.
Shortly after Hamrol's death, however, two additional survivors were discovered. William Del Monte, 103, and Jeanette Scola Trapani (April 21, 1902 – December 28, 2009), 106, stated that they stopped attending events commemorating the earthquake when it became too much trouble for them. The discovery has opened up the possibility that there may still be more living survivors left that have not become public knowledge. Another survivor, Rose Cliver, 106, attended her first earthquake reunion celebration, the 103rd anniversary of the earthquake, along with Del Monte on April 18, 2009. Nancy Stoner Sage died at the age of 105 in Colorado just three days short of the 104th anniversary of the earthquake on April 18, 2010. Del Monte, now 104, attended the event at Lotta's Fountain on April 18, 2010 and the dinner at John's Restaurant the night before.
Pebble Beach, California resident Ruth Newman, 110, is thought to be the oldest survivor and Bill Del Monte, 106, is thought to be the last male survivor following the death of 107 year-old George Quilici on May 31, 2012.
Read more about this topic: 1906 San Francisco Earthquake