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Guardians of The City

Guardians of the City Museum & Safety Learning Center celebrates SF’s Fire, Police, Sheriff & EMS. Through artifacts, parades, and commemorative events, we preserve the living history and service of our first responders for the community.

Immediately following the commemorations at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain, the tradition moves to the edge of Dolores Park for one of San Francisco&rsquo;s most beloved and interactive rituals. 2026 marks the 120th anniversary of the Great Earthquake and Fire. While the morning begins with solemn remembrance at Lotta&#39;s Fountain, the Gold Hydrant is where we celebrate the miracle that saved the surrounding neighborhood&mdash;and this year, we want you to be a direct part of that story. The Story of the &quot;Little Giant&quot; In April 1906, as fire ravaged the city and the water mains lay shattered, this single hydrant&mdash;affectionately known as the &quot;Little Giant&quot;&mdash;remained operational. Against all odds, it provided the water necessary for firefighters and citizens to stop the advancing &quot;Ham and Eggs&quot; fire from crossing 20th Street, effectively saving the neighborhood from total destruction. Make Your Mark on History This is not just an event to watch; it is an event to join. Every attendee is invited to participate in the tradition by taking their hand to a can of the signature gold paint we use to refresh the hydrant. As you add your brushstroke to the &quot;Little Giant,&quot; we invite you to&nbsp;publicly dedicate your participation. Whether you are painting in honor of a family member who lived through the 1906 disaster, a first responder in your life today, or your love for the City of San Francisco, this is a moment to make the commemoration your own. Start Your Morning at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain Before the painting begins, we invite you to join us for the pre-dawn commemoration at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain (Market &amp; Kearny Streets).<ul data-path-to-node="16" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">4:30 AM:&nbsp;Gathering begins with complimentary coffee and tea.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">4:45 AM:&nbsp;Formal program featuring riveting storytelling by MC Bob Sarlatte.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">5:12 AM: Moment of silence and the &quot;Siren Salute.&quot;</li></ul>Be Recorded in the 120th Legacy Registry We want to capture your presence in the official city archives. Please register for a Free Legacy Ticket for the Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain event. By showing up at the fountain and having your ticket scanned at our coffee stand, your name will be permanently recorded in the Guardians of the City Museum archives as an official participant in this landmark 120th anniversary. (FREE) Legacy Ticket Registration:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-120th-anniversary-1906-commemoration-at-lottas-fountain" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">The 120th Anniversary 1906 Commemoration at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain</a> Complete Your 120th Anniversary Weekend<ul data-path-to-node="22" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">1906 Survivors Luncheon: Join us the day before, Friday, April 17th, for the formal luncheon and awards ceremony.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-120th-anniversary-1906-commemoration-at-lottas-fountain" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">120th Annual 1906 Earthquake Survivors Award Luncheon</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"> </li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Support the Restoration: Help us get the 1942 SFFD Coffee Unit No. 1 back on the road! <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fueling-heroes-restore-sffds-iconic-1942-coffee-unit-no--1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Fueling Heroes: Restore SFFD&rsquo;s Iconic 1942 Coffee Unit No. 1</a></li></ul>We look forward to standing with you and painting with you as we celebrate the resilience of San Francisco. With gratitude,The Guardians of the City

120th Anniversary: Painting the "Little Giant" Golden Hydrant

There is a unique magic to standing in the heart of San Francisco in the quiet pre-dawn hours. 2026 marks the 120th anniversary of the Great Earthquake and Fire, and there has never been a better time to join this storied tradition. Because the anniversary falls on a Saturday this year, we invite all San Franciscans&mdash;from families to history buffs&mdash;to experience this &quot;bucket list&quot; event. It is a free, family-friendly morning that truly captures the soul of our city. Be Part of San Francisco History: The 120th Legacy Registry This year, we are doing something special to mark this landmark anniversary. We are inviting all attendees to register for a free Legacy Registry Ticket. By registering, your name will be permanently captured in the Guardians of the City Museum records as an official participant in the 120th Anniversary Commemoration. A century from now, when historians look back at how San Francisco remembered 1906, your name will be part of that story. Registration is free and ensures you are included in our historical roll call. The Program: A Riveting RetellingThe main attraction of the morning is a riveting storytelling of the events of 1906, delivered by our Master of Ceremonies, the legendary Bob Sarlatte. A celebrated actor, comedian, and the unmistakable &quot;voice of the 49ers&quot; from the Candlestick Park era, Bob will take us back in time to the moments that changed San Francisco forever. The morning sequence includes:<ul data-path-to-node="10" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">4:30 AM: Public gathering begins. Guardians of the City will provide complimentary hot coffee and tea for all attendees to keep the morning chill at bay.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">4:45 AM: The formal program commences with Bob Sarlatte&rsquo;s signature storytelling.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">5:10 AM: The ceremonial wreath-laying on Lotta&#39;s Fountain.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">5:12 AM: A profound moment of silence, followed by a deafening &quot;Siren Salute&quot; from a fleet of visiting and historic fire apparatus, marking the exact moment the earth shook in 1906.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">5:15 AM: Everyone joins together for a community sing-along of our hometown anthem, &quot;San Francisco,&quot; led by the spirit of the city herself, Lillie Hitchcock Coit (brought to life by a Living History Interpreter in her signature period attire).</li></ul>A Historic Return: Light Wagon 2 This year, the Guardians are proud to present a rare treasure from our collection that has not been seen at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain since the 100th anniversary in 2006: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/apparatus/motorized/searchlights.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">1928 Kleiber Light Wagon 2</a>. Built by the San Francisco-based Kleiber Motor Truck Company, this unit served with <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/companies/searchlights/searchlight_2.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">SFFD Searchlight Company No. 2</a> from 1928 to 1950. It is the last truck in existence built by Kleiber, and its appearance is a true once-in-a-generation sight. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1771118638/wysiwyg/awaaduel2vwuzym00wtv.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Distinguished GuestsWe are honored to be joined by the city&rsquo;s leadership to mark this milestone:<ul data-path-to-node="15" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Mayor Daniel Lurie</li><li fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Fire Chief Dean Crispen</li><li fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Police Chief Derrick Lew</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Director Mary Ellen Carroll (Department of Emergency Management)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sheriff Paul Miyamoto (San Francisco Sheriff and Guardians Trustee)</li></ul>Event Details<ul data-path-to-node="17" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Admission: Free, family-friendly, and open to all.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">What to Wear: Dress in layers! April mornings downtown are famously brisk.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Tradition Continues: Immediately following the ceremony, we move to 20th and Church Streets at 5:45 AM for the annual painting of the &quot;Little Giant&quot; Gold Hydrant.</li></ul>Support the Guardians: Help us keep these stories alive. We are currently raising funds for our <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fueling-heroes-restore-sffds-iconic-1942-coffee-unit-no--1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">2026 Coffee Unit Restoration Campaign</a> to get the iconic 1942 SFFD Coffee Unit No. 1 back on the road. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1771119645/wysiwyg/pvvz0zlorludvihi6a4k.jpg" style="width: 349px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 349px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fueling-heroes-restore-sffds-iconic-1942-coffee-unit-no--1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Fueling Heroes: Restore SFFD&rsquo;s Iconic 1942 Coffee Unit No. 1</a><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1771119667/wysiwyg/z4n0yuprbxupxgcfdb1w.jpg" style="width: 337px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 337px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">

The 120th Anniversary 1906 Commemoration at Lotta’s Fountain

Join us as we honor resilience, remembrance, and community at the 120th Annual 1906 Earthquake Survivors Award Luncheon. This cherished tradition brings together historians, civic leaders, and San Franciscans to commemorate the enduring spirit of those who lived through one of the most defining moments in our city&rsquo;s history. Gather with us for an afternoon of reflection, storytelling, and recognition as we pay tribute to the legacy of survival and resilience of San Francisco. We look forward to sharing this meaningful occasion with you. Guardians of the City

120th Annual 1906 Earthquake Survivors Award Luncheon

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770870362/wysiwyg/eyludjamfjatmfjl0hgl.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">The Story: More Than Just a Cup of CoffeeIn the heat of a 4th-alarm fire, when the smoke was thickest and the crews were at their breaking point, one sight brought instant relief: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/museum_collections/apparatus/coffee_unit1.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">SFFD Coffee Unit No. 1.</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770870423/wysiwyg/pwl1p5uilfcg8eaw1t45.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Originally a 1942 Chevrolet auxiliary pumper, this &quot;Living History&quot; treasure was the lifeline for San Francisco&rsquo;s firefighters for decades. It didn&#39;t just carry 30 gallons of hot coffee; it carried the morale of the entire department. From the front lines of historic fires to the early morning commemorations at Lotta&rsquo;s Fountain, this unit is a symbol of San Francisco&rsquo;s resilience and service. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770870068/wysiwyg/kolbau1u5bi2xcuetq5q.jpg" style="width: 529px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 529px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> The Mission: Bringing a Legend Back to LifeAfter years of dedicated service and museum display, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/museum_collections/apparatus/coffee_unit1.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Coffee Unit No. 1</a> needs a mechanical and cosmetic overhaul. To keep this piece of history road-ready for civic parades and educational events, we must restore:<ul data-path-to-node="7" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The &quot;Heart&quot;:&nbsp;Full mechanical restoration of the 1942 Chevrolet engine and chassis.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The &quot;Look&quot;: Preservation of the unique canvas-covered walk-in compartment and iconic gold-leaf lettering.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The &quot;Service&quot;: Replacing the copper urns and interior equipment that once served thousands.</li></ul><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770870133/wysiwyg/k2apinvw0ntb5dbq3pga.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> How You Can HelpAs part of the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/museum_collections/apparatus/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Guardians of the City Museum</a>, our goal is to ensure this apparatus remains a &quot;living&quot; part of our city&rsquo;s heritage. Because Zeffy is a 100% free platform for nonprofits, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gotcsf.org/sffd/museum_collections/restorations/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">every cent of your donation</a> goes directly toward the parts, paint, and craftsmanship required to get Coffee Unit No. 1 back on the streets. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770870499/wysiwyg/fraquutoqap59p557vjg.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Help us keep the engine running and the coffee brewing for the next generation.

The Story: More Than Just a Cup of CoffeeIn the heat of a 4th-alarm fire, when the smoke was thickest and the crews were at their breaking point, one sight brought instant relief: SFFD Coffee Unit No. 1.Originally a 1942 Chevrolet auxiliary pumper, this "Living History" treasure was the lifeline for San Francisco’s firefighters for decades. It didn't just carry 30 gallons of hot coffee; it carried the morale of the entire department. From the front lines of historic fires to the early morning commemorations at Lotta’s Fountain, this unit is a symbol of San Francisco’s resilience and service.The Mission: Bringing a Legend Back to LifeAfter years of dedicated service and museum display, Coffee Unit No. 1 needs a mechanical and cosmetic overhaul. To keep this piece of history road-ready for civic parades and educational events, we must restore:The "Heart": Full mechanical restoration of the 1942 Chevrolet engine and chassis.The "Look": Preservation of the unique canvas-covered walk-in compartment and iconic gold-leaf lettering.The "Service": Replacing the copper urns and interior equipment that once served thousands.How You Can HelpAs part of the Guardians of the City Museum, our goal is to ensure this apparatus remains a "living" part of our city’s heritage. Because Zeffy is a 100% free platform for nonprofits, every cent of your donation goes directly toward the parts, paint, and craftsmanship required to get Coffee Unit No. 1 back on the streets.Help us keep the engine running and the coffee brewing for the next generation.

Guardians of The City

Guardians of The City

Past events

Past events

120th Anniversary: Painting the "Little Giant" Golden Hydrant

The 120th Anniversary 1906 Commemoration at Lotta’s Fountain

120th Annual 1906 Earthquake Survivors Award Luncheon

More ways to support us

Fueling Heroes: Restore SFFD’s Iconic 1942 Coffee Unit No. 1

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