1933 Long Beach Earthquake

The earthquake hit Long Beach on March 10, 1933 at 5:54 pm. It had a magnitude of 6.4, and was centered 3 miles south of what is now Huntington Beach. These photos from the Museum’s collection show the devastation caused by the quake.

  • American Avenue (now Long Beach Blvd.)
  • Poly High School
  • Seaside Hospital
  • Seaside Hospital
  • Fire Station
  • Imperial Theatre
  • The Pike
  • Bakery
  • St. Anthony's Church
  • Alamitos School
  • John Muir School
  • Home Theatre
  • Residence, East Anaheim
  • Damaged Porch
  • Damaged stores
  • Earthquake damaged school
  • Earthquake damaged shop
  • Earthquake damage
  • Earthquake damage
  • Earthquake damage
  • Earthquake damage
  • Damaged House
  • Damaged House
  • 1933 Earthquake damage

Some of the Museum’s photos show how people lived after they were forced out of their homes. These are from a family photo album. The captions in quotes are the notes written in the album.

  • Campfire for Quake Survivors
  • House damage
  • Cooking after the Quake
  • Post-earthquake, labeled "We still eat"
  • Post-earthquake living
  • Sleeping arrangements
  • Earthquake camp