Following a trip into San Jose, she wrote, "We saw such dreadful sights."

Farwell's diary entries are on display at the Saratoga Historical Museum as part of its 1906 Earthquake Anniversary Exhibit. The exhibit opened on March 3 and runs to the end of April. Peggy Schoppe, chairwoman of the museum's exhibits committee, painstakingly transcribed Farwell's handwritten entries and placed them on easy-to-read printouts in the museum's display cases.

The earthquake that struck on April 18, 1906, is considered one of the most significant events in the history of the Bay Area. "This exhibit is the culmination of roughly two months of research," Chuck Schoppe said. Chuck and his wife Peggy have worked hard to put together the exhibit. Both are members of the Saratoga Historical Foundation, and both have a keen interest in Saratoga history.

Four display cases in the museum trace the earthquake's path of destruction, starting in Saratoga and moving up the peninsula to San Francisco. A Victorian-era stereoscope provides viewers with three-dimensional images of old earthquake photos. Along with the display cases and the stereoscope, the exhibit includes artifacts scorched in the fires, panoramic pictures of the destruction, geological information and Edison newsreels from the time that have been converted onto DVD.

Peggy Schoppe, who was born in San Francisco, said her father was 3 years old and living with her grandparents in San Francisco when the earthquake hit. "He remembered the ground moving like ocean waves," she said.

Although San Francisco and San Jose experienced massive damage, Saratoga had an easier time of it. The city was smaller then and mainly agrarian. Chimneys collapsed and water towers fell over, but no deaths were reported. However, the violent shaking and the devastation of surrounding communities made
April 18, 1906, a day that Saratogans of the time would talk about for the rest of their lives.

"We're trying to make the exhibit not only historically accurate but educational," Chuck Schoppe said.

"It's a tribute to the way the city survived and recovered from such a terrible tragedy," his wife said. "We've had a hardworking committee putting it all together."

Sheila Heid, Lyn Johnston and Jenni Taylor are also on the exhibits committee. April Halberstadt went through the museum's archives for relevant materials for the displays.

Not only is 2006 the 100th anniversary of the earthquake, but also the 50th anniversary of the city of Saratoga.

Three more exhibits commemorating other significant Saratoga anniversaries will run through to the end of the year, following the earthquake exhibit.

Visitors can check out the 1906 Earthquake Anniversary Exhibit during regular museum hours Friday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. until the end of April. A champagne reception will be held at the museum March 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information or to organize a special tour, call Peggy Schoppe at 408.867.9229.