At 5:12:06 A.M. on April 18, 1906, an earthquake shook the vibrant, former gold-rush community of San Francisco. The terror lasted for 40 seconds, according to the club's history "75 Years in San Francisco."

The story of how this city picked itself up is one for the ages. Then the story of the birth of Rotary in San Francisco just two years later was momentous for tiny Rotary.

Paul P. Harris, a Chicago attorney, who started a club called "Rotary" in 1905, had worked in San Francisco in 1891. His record of that is found on page 42 of "The Founder of Rotary," which can be read only in rarely found books or at this project.

Before starting a law practice in Chicago, Harris traveled the US and shipped out twice to Europe over a five year period. In San Francisco he worked for The San Francisco Chronicle.

In 1935, Harris recorded the historic meeting with his former Chicago friend and roommate Manuel Munoz and San Francisco Attorney Homer Wood. (See comments on page 77 "This Rotarian Age.") Harris had asked Munoz to look for an opportunity to start a second club while he was traveling on business.

This section of our project is dedicated to the second club of Rotary, from which all the early clubs on the West Coast were born. You'll learn the stories of their early presidents, the historic conventions, the history of the club, the founder of SF#2, and a controversy involving a few SF Rotarians.

Also see the history of Rotary Districts

The Rotarian 1915

Jack M. B. Selway,

Former member: Rotary Club of San Francisco #2

Chairman Emeritus and Founder

Rotary Global History Fellowship

Speech by 1992 Past RI President Cliff Dochterman at the Club's 100 Year celebrations.