1900 - 1909

Fire or quake? Quake or fire? Over a century later, the debate still rages about whether the San Francisco earthquake caused more damage or whether it was the ensuing fires. No matter which was responsible for the greater devastation, the truth is that the great San Francisco California earthquake was the deadliest earthquake in U.S. history. The earthquake was also the first natural disaster of its magnitude to be documented by photography and motion picture footage which you can view for yourself below.

This video shows the fashions, hairstyles, contraptions (okay, buggies and cars), and activities of the early 1900's. The dresses are lovely - but how did people move and breathe in that restrictive clothing? It's amazing how hardy our ancestors were! It took a lot of effort (and time) to be stylish and then go out and play. (Be sure to turn up your speakers to hear the tunes of the day.)

Skirts skimming the ground often with trains, high collars, big hats with lots of feathers - sometimes even with whole stuffed birds, ribbons, and flowers, the last heyday for corsets, and the rise of designer houses. 1900 through 1909 started with a continuation of the 1800's and lead to the great profile changes of the 1910's. Women's shoes had pointed toes and there was a shoe for every occasion including Oxfords, evening slippers, and boots. Gibson girl hair was all the rage, and the biggest change for men was with curled mustaches. Discover the fashion of the early 1900's.