December 25, 1899 Earthquake: California, United States

Property damage from this earthquake was most severe at Hemet and San Jacinto, west of Palm Springs. Six people were killed by falling adobe walls at Saboba, a few kilometers east of San Jacinto. The estimated property loss of about $50,000 appears to be low. Many aftershocks occurred on Dec. 25 and 26. (Reference #542)

There was a strong earthquake in Southern California, apparently caused by a shift along the San Jacinto fault on its highest mountainous section, several miles southeast of San Jacinto, where many large cave-ins occurred. Almost all the brick buildings were damaged at San Jacinto. At Hemet, only two stoves remained standing. At Soboba Hot Springs, several miles east of San Jacinto, six Indians were killed and eight were injured by the collapse of the wall of an adobe. Strong tremors, with no destruction, were felt at Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and at other places. Mile noted (1900) also, that a large high wave broke on the seacoast without doing any damage (Reference #415).

1899 December 25. Region near and southeast of San Jacinto; IX or X. Generally felt in southern California and western Arizona. Damage at San Jacinto, Riverside, Redlands, and San Bernardino to chimneys and brick walls. Loss of life on Cahuilla Indian Reservation in collapse of adobe buildings. (reference #1074)

1899. December 25. San Jacinto and Hemet. In Hemet, nearly all brick buildings were damaged severely and only two chimneys remained standing. At Riverside, the shock threw down chimneys and cracked walls. Six were killed and eight were injured at Saboba, near San Jacinto. The shock probably centered on the San Jacinto Fault, about 10 miles southeast of San Jacinto, where there were old sinks and many fresh surface cracks. The shock was felt distinctly at San Diego and at Seligman, Ariz. There were numerous aftershocks for a few days and less frequent shocks through May 1900. (reference #1128)