Guardians of The City San Francisco

05/04/2026

Today at 10:30 a.m., California will honor fallen heroic police officers at the Peace Officer’s Memorial in Sacramento.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

04/19/2026

April 18, 1906 5:12 am. Things happened. April 18, 2026 we remember and celebrate. The Celebration-Remembrance begins at Lotta’s Fountain. Lotta Crabtree donated the fountain to San Francisco in 1875. It played a role as a community meeting spot for Survivors after the 1906 Earthquake & Fire. A pre internet chat room. GOTC is now hosting the events. After Lotta’s Fountain the celebration moved to the Gold Hydrant at 20th & Church.

04/19/2026

April 18th 2026 marks the 120th anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. GOTC started the commemorations with the Survivor Lunch at the Elks Lodge #3, Thursday the 17th. Last year we established the Knickerbocker Award. We have added 3 new awards. We also awarded the ongoing “Survivor” award. Just informed- there were 112 for lunch.

04/18/2026

Great story about the annual commemoration activities and Lee Houskeeper.

After San Francisco gathers at Lotta’s Fountain to remember the 1906 earthquake and fire, longtime organizer Lee Houskeeper will stroll off into the sunrise.

04/11/2026

Will you be joining us next Saturday, April 18, 2026? Guardians of the City will be commemorating the 120th anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire with traditional ceremonies in the morning at Lotta’s Fountain and then at the Golden Hydrant at 20th & Church Streets.

The Golden Hydrant that helped save the Mission District from fire after the quake is honored with a plaque near its base; a rubbing of it is shown here. The plaque eloquently tells the story of the quake, the hydrant, the San Francisco Fire Department, and the “spirit of the people of San Francisco” who brought the City out of ruin.

The plaque itself was installed by the Golden Hydrant 60 years ago by the Upper Noe Valley Neighborhood Council in 1966. The donor of this rubbing shared that her mother loved City history and held onto this piece for years before donating it to the GOTC collection.

You can also be a part of these cherished traditions this year.

Lotta’s Fountain Commemoration- 4:30-5:30 am, Market & Kearny

Golden Hydrant Commemoration- 5:30-6:30 am, 20th & Church Sts

[2025.5.1- Rubbing of Golden Hydrant Plaque, c. 2000. Crayon on paper. Gift in memory of Barbara Patch, Collection of Guardians of the City]

04/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100063715445363/posts/1536209905179510/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

🔥 Fire Truck Face-Off 2026 rolls into Semi Finals! 🔥

Alameda Fire Department is coming in hot - competing for the Alameda Food Bank!
They’re facing off against Lodi Fire Department, who is battling for City of Lodi Animal Services.

Head over to FireTruckFaceOff.com to cast your vote and support your favorite department and cause!

Remember, likes and comments on this post do not count as votes. Be sure to vote on the website and share this post to rally your community! Polls stay open until 10 AM tomorrow morning (4/8/2026). Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest matchups and results!

04/03/2026

San Francisco, join Guardians of the City as we honor the 120th Anniversary of the Great 1906 Earthquake & Fire with three powerful events that reflect the city’s resilience, history, and civic pride.

From the 1906 Survivors Awards & Luncheon, to the pre-dawn Commemoration at Lotta’s Fountain, to the Golden Hydrant Commemoration honoring “The Little Giant,” this year’s series brings San Franciscans together to remember, reflect, and take part in living history. We are also proud to welcome the return of Searchlight 2, the 1928 Kleiber SFFD Light Wagon 2, at Lotta’s Fountain.

Join us in honoring the people, places, and stories that helped shape San Francisco.

📱 SCAN THE QR CODE TO GET YOUR TICKETS AND LEARN MORE 🎟️

04/03/2026

Mutual Aid Request from the City of Alameda Fire Department, who as you may know, will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary this year.

Please vote for their newest aerial ladder truck. If they win, the prize goes to Alameda Food Bank, a very worthwhile cause.

https://firetruckfaceoff.com/

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 Time to reshare one of our favorite Irish-Americans from San Francisco history.

Dennis T. Sullivan was the highly respected Chief Engineer of the SFFD from 1893-1906. He arrived from New York in his early 20s and became a blacksmith. He joined the SFFD in 1877. When he became Chief Engineer, he was known for his ability, discipline, and leadership. He helped the SFFD grow larger and more efficient.
 
Based on his firefighting experience, he also advocated for the creation of an emergency water supply system that would enable the SFFD to use water from reservoirs constructed on City hills. This Auxiliary Water Supply System (or High Pressure Fire System) was created in 1909 and remains in use to this day.
 
Though today he’s remembered for his death during the 1906 earthquake, Chief Sullivan was a beloved member of the SFFD who served with dedication and integrity. 
 
The fireboat Dennis T. Sullivan, the Fire Chief’s residence on Bush St., and even a bar in North Beach are dedicated to him.
 
You can still see his influence today when you notice high-pressure hydrants around town. Raise a glass in memory of Chief Sullivan!  Sláinte! ☘️

[2014.1.2- Chief Engineer Dennis T. Sullivan, c. 1905, crayon portrait, Collection of Guardians of the City]

02/18/2026

Happy Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse!

Horses have always played an important role in the history of San Francisco’s First Responders.

The San Francisco Fire Dept used draft horses to pull apparatus around the City. This photo from 1915 depicts Engine Co. No. 41 at Leavenworth between Clay and Washington. The caption identifies the firefighter as George Murray and the horses as Mary and Louisa.

Horses were beloved members of the department for many years until apparatus became motorized. We have many depictions of horses in our collection, but most of their names are not noted like Mary and Louisa, captured here for posterity.

Like our fire horses, we hope your year of the Fire Horse is one of power, stamina, and loyalty! 🔥🐴

[Horse-drawn apparatus, 1915, Photo.SFFD Scrapbook, detail. Compiled by Lucille Murray. Collection of Guardians of the City]