Today in history: 3 amazing photos of cable powerhouses after the 1906 earthquake

Photo via SFMTA Photo Shelter by John Henry Mentz

At 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, a powerful earthquake shook San Francisco. Here are three terrible yet amazing photos from the SFMTA photo shelter of the cable car powerhouses after the quake. In the photo above, take at the Washington and Mason powerhouse, a cable car is covered in falling debris from the power and car house smokestack. This photo was taken by John Henry Mentz.

Two more photos from the archive, both taken at the Oak and Broderick powerhouse.

Head over to the SFMTA Photo Shelter to see rest of “United Railroads 1906 | After the Earthquake” gallery.