The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

On April 18, 1906, the deadliest earthquake in American history struck San Francisco at 5:12 a.m. The quake triggered a massive fire that raged for three days, incinerating over 28,000 buildings and killing an estimated 3,000 people.

The Mint and Its Significance

Amidst the chaos, a group of brave men defended the San Francisco Mint, safeguarding $300 million in gold and silver, equivalent to over $6 billion today. This act of heroism may have saved the U.S. economy from collapse.

The Firefight

As the fire approached the Mint, a small crew of employees led by Frank Leach, a political appointee with no firefighting experience, fought back against the inferno. They sealed off windows, extinguished nearby fires with water from a courtyard well, and used internal fire hoses to douse the flames.

Arrival of Reinforcements

Worried about looters, Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston dispatched a squad of ten soldiers to aid in the Mint’s defense. Along with day-shift employees, the Mint’s defenders numbered around 60. They cleared debris from the roof, preventing it from igniting, and fought to keep the fire at bay.

Through the Flames

As the fire intensified, Leach divided the men into squads and stationed them throughout the Mint. They fought with water hoses and buckets, melting the glass in the windows as the fire breached the walls. Despite the hail of burning cinders, the defenders held their ground, preventing the fire from consuming the Mint’s treasure.

Aftermath

By midafternoon, the fire had passed by the Mint, but the roof was still ablaze. The men extinguished it with water and sheet copper. When the smoke cleared, Leach found the Mint remarkably intact. “The fight was won,” he wrote later. “The Mint was saved.”

Legacy of Courage

Frank Leach and his men were hailed as heroes. Leach was promoted to director of the mint in Washington, D.C., and his men remained loyal to him. Their bravery and resilience epitomized the spirit of the city’s recovery from the earthquake and fire.

The Old Mint Today

Decades after the earthquake, the Old Mint became a National Historic Landmark and served as a numismatic museum. In 2003, the city of San Francisco acquired the building and plans to transform it into the San Francisco History Museum, a tribute to the city’s endurance and the heroism of those who defended the Mint.

Survivor Tales

Each year, a dwindling number of earthquake survivors gather to commemorate the event and their own resilience. They share their memories of the disaster and the profound impact it had on their lives. Their stories remind us of the strength and courage of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The Allure of Gold

Gold has captivated humans for centuries, symbolizing wealth, power, and luxury. The Museum of American Finance’s exhibition, “Worth Its Weight: Gold from the Ground Up,” explores the enduring fascination with this precious metal.

Sidney Mobell’s Golden Creations

The exhibition showcases the extraordinary works of octogenarian artist and jewelry maker Sidney Mobell. His golden masterpieces transform everyday objects into dazzling works of art, including a 14-karat gold mousetrap baited with a diamond cheese wedge, a solid gold Monopoly board, and a jewel-studded golden toilet seat fit for King Midas.

Gold Artifacts Through History

Beyond Mobell’s creations, the exhibition displays a diverse collection of gold artifacts from around the world and throughout history. These include rare currency dating back to 564-550 B.C., gold alloy dentures from the early 1800s, and a training helmet used by Project Gemini astronauts with a gold-tinted visor to protect against glare.

Gold’s Industrial Applications

Gold’s versatility extends beyond its traditional uses in jewelry and currency. Its unique properties of malleability, non-corrosiveness, and biological inertness make it valuable in industries such as technology and medicine.

Medical Innovations

In its purest form, gold is frequently used in medical technologies, including dental fillings, stents, and pacemakers. It can also be used to deliver targeted cancer medications directly to cancerous tissue, where it can be activated by near-infrared light to kill malignant cells.

Electronics and Technology

Gold’s non-corrosive and highly conductive properties make it an essential material in electronics manufacturing, including smartphone production. While smartphones contain only trace amounts of gold, Mobell’s extravagant cell phone is encrusted with 39 diamonds, 21 rubies, and 212 sapphires.

Gold Mining and Extraction

The exhibition also sheds light on the history and techniques of gold mining. Prospecting tools from the 1849 California Gold Rush are on display, along with molds used to form gold into different shapes.

Gold’s Everlasting Allure

“Gold remains the epitome of luxury,” says Kristin Aguilera, deputy director of the museum. “This exhibition tells the story of its discovery, formation, and continued importance in our society.”

Notable Artifacts

Among the notable items on display are:

• A full set of gold alloy dentures, circa 1800
• A ruby-and-gold jewelry box once owned by Elizabeth Taylor
• Gold bars recovered from a 19th-century shipwreck

Visit the Exhibition

“Worth Its Weight: Gold from the Ground Up” runs through December 30, 2016 at the Museum of American Finance, a Smithsonian Affiliate museum. Visitors are encouraged to explore the fascinating world of gold and its enduring allure.