PHOTO GALLERY - CALIFORNIA'S NOTABLE EARTHQUAKES Long Beach Earthquake - March 10, 1933

This earthquake struck just a couple of hours after school had "let out" for the day!  The damage from this quake resulted in the changing of building codes, though slowly, to no longer allow the use of unreinforced masonry.  This movement continues today in California through efforts to structurally strengthen those unreinforced masonry buildings that still exist.  Secondly, the damage to schools was tremendous and led to the passage of the Field Act requiring all school construction to be under the jurisdiction of the State of California instead of local building departments.

Central Grammar School - Huntington Beach, CA

Junior High School - Compton, CA

High School - Huntington Park, CA This school was significantly damaged by the earthquake, but destroyed by the fire that erupted shortly after the earthquake

Freemont School - Long Beach, CA Roswell and East 4th Street

Jefferson Junior High School - Long Beach, CA

North End Polytechnic High School - Long Beach, CA

School buildings weren't the only type of building that was damaged in this earthquake.  Many unreinforced masonry buildings were damaged throughout the area. Additionally, many homes were "knocked off" their foundations.  The following photos are some examples.

Franklin Junior High School - Long Beach, CA

St. Anthony Catholic Church - Long Beach, CA

Business District - Compton, CA Main Street

Orange & 15th Street - Long Beach, CA House has fallen off its foundation.  It moved away from the viewer as can be seen by the post in the front.

Newport Ave. - Long Beach, CA House has fallen off its foundation.  It moved to the viewer's right.  At the left edge of the picture, the stairs provide an indication of how far the structure moved.

The photographs on these pages (except as noted) are the property of Global Emergency Management.  Reproduction of these photos in any manner is forbidden without the express written permission of GEM.

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