Sylmar in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
1971 Sylmar Earthquake
Lest We Forget
Photographed By Craig Baker, February 21, 2018
1. Lest We Forget Marker
Erected 1979 by Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 9, 1971.
Location. 34° 19.509′ N, 118° 25.018′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Sylmar. Marker is on Sayre Street near Shablow Avenue. At the end of Sayre Street, next to the flagpole at the entrance to Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13000 Sayre St, Sylmar CA 91342, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Loop Fire (approx. 0.6 miles away); The San Fernando Pioneer Memorial Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Griffith Ranch (approx. 2˝ miles away); Glen Haven Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Rogerio Rocha (approx. 2.6 miles away); Sayre Fire
this page online
Regarding 1971 Sylmar Earthquake. The Sylmar Earthquake occurred at 6:00 am on February 9, 1971. It registered 6.6 on the Richter scale. 64 people were killed, including 44 at this hospital, which is now a memorial park. The nearby Olive View Hospital was damaged, resulting in three deaths. 80,000 people in the San Fernando Valley were evacuated (including me, -CB) when the Van Norman Dam nearly collapsed.
The earthquake released methane gas underground into an aqueduct tunnel construction site in Sylmar, and on June 24 an explosion killed 17 workers.
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake had a similar magnitude, duration, time of day, time of year, damage, number of fatalities, and area affected, as the 1971 earthquake. And geologists believe the 1971 earthquake caused the 1994 earthquake.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Sylmar Tunnel Disaster, where 17 workers were killed in an explosion of methane gas released by the earthquake.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Craig Baker, February 21, 2018
2. Lest We Forget Marker
Additional keywords. Sylmar Earthquake, San Fernando Earthquake, Sylmar Tunnel Disaster,
Photographed By Craig Baker, February 21, 2018
3. Lest We Forget Marker
Marker is to the left of the flagpole at the park entrance.
circa 1970
4. Before the Earthquake
The parking lot at the lower left still exists today at the west end of the park.
circa 1971
5. After the Earthquake
The collapsed buildings were built between 1926 and 1933. Newer buildings did not have major damage, but they were removed to create a memorial park.
circa 1971
6. Rescuers digging through the rubble
circa 1971
7. Evacuees and Employees
Photographed By Craig Baker, February 23, 2018
8. Another Marker
This small marker is on a drinking fountain near the cactus garden at the back of the park. The garden was an original part of the hospital grounds.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 3,093 times since then and 195 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8. submitted on February 28, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
