Lotta Crabtree made a fortune as San Francisco's diminutive opera diva, and never forgot the city that paid for her trademark cigars. In 1875 she donated this cast-metal spigot fountain (thrice her size) to San Francisco. Her gift came in mighty handy during the April 18, 1906 earthquake and fire, when it became downtown's sole water source – corrupt officials had pocketed funds to hook up fire hydrants. Descendants of 1906 earthquake survivors meet here each April 18 at 5:12am for rousing sing-a-longs.
