Lower Nob Hill in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Unsung Heros
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
1. Unsung Heros Marker
San Francisco’s firemen were the unsung heroes of 1906. Leaderless because Chief Dennis Sullivan had been fatally injured by the quake, with indomitable courage they battled for three days and nights the flames that were consuming the city.
Erected 1985 by E Clampus Vitis, Yerba Buena Chapter No. 1.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Heroes. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 37° 47.399′ N, 122° 24.701′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Lower Nob Hill. Marker is on Bush Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 870 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Metropolitan Club (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marines Memorial Club (about 500 feet away); Mark Hopkins Hotel (about 700 feet away); Site of the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art (about 700 feet away); Huntington Park/Fountain of the Tortoises (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crocker Mansions (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
Regarding Unsung Heros. Within 30 hours of the earthquake’s first jolt, a firestorm decimated all the familiar buildings of San Francisco; infernos swept through the city for three days. In all, more than 3,000 people died. Property damage has been estimated at $235–500 million 1906 dollars — equivalent to the entire 1906 federal budget.
Also see . . .
1. San Francisco earthquake. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 9, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Death of Fire Chief Engineer Dennis T. Sullivan. Museum of the City of San Francisco entry. (Submitted on October 9, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
2. Unsung Heros Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
3. San Francisco Fire Station
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 10, 2014
4. Dennis Sullivan Memorial
In Memoriam
Dennis Sullivan
1852-1906
By fire shall hearts be proven
Lest virtues gold grow dim,
and his by fire was tested,
In life’s ordeal of him.
Now California renders
The laurels that he won-
“Dead on the field of honor”,
Her hero and her son.
Photographed By broke-ass Stuart, unknown
5. Chief Dennis Sullivan
Photographed By broke-ass Stuart, 1906
6. San Francisco in flames
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 699 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5, 6. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
