Friday, January 22, 2021

Library of Congress Films - 1906 San Francisco Earthquake - Army pack train bringing supplies from the Library of Congress

This is a 2 1/2 minute film showing an Army Pack Train Bringing Supplies.

I believe all of these films were filmed by the company Thomas A. Edison, Inc.

 Army pack train bringing supplies | Library of Congress (loc.gov)

The Summary of this film states:

The first segment shows a series of loaded mule trains, guided by mules and horses. Many soldiers ride two-to-a-horse (or mule), possibly to facilitate quick unloading of supplies. Note the "Rough Rider" - style hats worn by many of the men. The dusty location is unclear; if the tower in the right distance is St. Boniface Church, the view could be west on Golden Gate Avenue from Van Ness Avenue. The second scene (1:21 min.) shows what are probably the same mule trains passing through an unburnt neighborhood. The row of Victorian homes, the distant slope, and the church on the hill suggest a possible view east on Geary Street from near Webster Street. If the location is correct, the supplies could be headed for the Hamilton Park refugee camp or for the Presidio supply center. Pack trains such as this were the quickest and most efficient method of transporting large amounts of supplies through the hilly and rubble-filled street west of the docks.

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