Longtime organizer of 1906 San Francisco earthquake ceremony steps down

After 39 years, Lee Houskeeper is handing over the reins of the annual commemoration at Lotta's Fountain.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:26am by

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of Lotta's Fountain in San Francisco at dawn, with a hazy, dreamlike quality created by the out-of-focus, condensation-streaked lens, capturing the solemn yet hopeful mood of the annual earthquake commemoration ceremony.As San Francisco gathers at the historic Lotta's Fountain to commemorate the 1906 earthquake, the event's longtime organizer Lee Houskeeper prepares to pass the torch to a new generation.San Francisco Today

Lee Houskeeper, who has organized the annual ceremony commemorating the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire for the past 39 years, is stepping down. The event, which takes place at Lotta's Fountain on Market Street, will now be run by the volunteer-based Guardians of the City group and the San Francisco Fire Department.

Why it matters

The 1906 earthquake was a pivotal moment in San Francisco's history, and the annual ceremony at Lotta's Fountain has become an important tradition for the city to remember the tragedy and honor the survivors. Houskeeper's long tenure as the event's organizer has ensured its continuity, and his departure marks the end of an era.

The details

Houskeeper began helping with the event in 1987 after his then-girlfriend, Taren Sapienza, who had organized the gathering for three decades, passed away. Houskeeper took over many of the logistical responsibilities, such as renting the stage, lighting, and buying the ceremonial wreath. He also tracked down and interviewed survivors of the disaster, though the last known survivor, Bill DelMonte, died in 2016 at the age of 109.

  • The annual ceremony takes place at 5:12 a.m. on the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake, which occurred on April 18.
  • Houskeeper has been organizing the event for the past 39 years, since 1987.

The players

Lee Houskeeper

The longtime organizer of the annual 1906 San Francisco earthquake commemoration ceremony at Lotta's Fountain, who is stepping down after 39 years.

Taren Sapienza

Houskeeper's late girlfriend, who had organized the earthquake commemoration for three decades before her passing.

Bill DelMonte

The last known survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, who died in 2016 at the age of 109.

Guardians of the City

A volunteer-based group devoted to the history of San Francisco's first responders, who will be taking over the organization of the annual earthquake commemoration ceremony.

San Francisco Fire Department

The fire department will be taking a larger role in putting on the earthquake commemoration ceremony going forward.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored, honored to do it. Even though I bitched a lot, I'm totally honored to do it.”

— Lee Houskeeper, Longtime organizer of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake ceremony

“It's never been about the survivors. San Francisco is the survivor.”

— Carl Nolte, San Francisco Chronicle columnist

“Nobody had ever thought of fixing the water problem and having, in fact, the fountain Lotta's fountain erupt and operate. That was Lee's thought.”

— Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco

What’s next

The annual 1906 San Francisco earthquake commemoration ceremony will take place this Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 5:12 a.m. at Lotta's Fountain on Market Street. This will be Lee Houskeeper's final year as the event's organizer, as the Guardians of the City and the San Francisco Fire Department take over the event's organization going forward.

The takeaway

Lee Houskeeper's 39-year tenure as the organizer of the annual 1906 San Francisco earthquake commemoration ceremony at Lotta's Fountain has ensured the continuity of this important tradition for the city. As he steps down, the event will now be carried on by the Guardians of the City and the San Francisco Fire Department, keeping the memory of the earthquake and its survivors alive for future generations.