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In 1972, we had an earthquake centered in Sylmar, California. At the time I lived about 20 miles away in La Crescenta. The magnitude was 6.5.

It took place around 7:00am.

That was the first big earthquake I lived through. But I think it was at 6:01 am, and wasn’t it in 1971 ? not 72 ? It was centered in Sylmar, and destroyed the Olive View Hospital if I recall correctly. There were some deaths. We had a 2-story house, and you could really feel those aftershocks up there. I slept in my parent’s bedroom for a few weeks, I remember.

You’re correct on both counts. The actual magnitude was pegged at 6.6 too.

It was my first as well. My thought was to get my brothers and sister out of the house. Turns out, that’s not the best idea. Well constructed homes will most likely not collapse, especially a one story structure on a good foundation.

The San Fernando Valley Veterans Hospital collapsed. Wings of the Olive View hospital broke free and fell over.

http://www.google.com/search?q=sylmar+earthquake&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images&tbs=

That was the first big earthquake I lived through. But I think it was at 6:01 am, and wasn’t it in 1971 ? not 72 ? It was centered in Sylmar, and destroyed the Olive View Hospital if I recall correctly. There were some deaths. We had a 2-story house, and you could really feel those aftershocks up there. I slept in my parent’s bedroom for a few weeks, I remember.

You're correct. It was in February 9, 1971 at about 6:01 a.m. I was 11 years old, and it was my first major quake. I lived in North Hollywood at the time, and they closed the local school for the week (it's was the Lincoln's birthday holiday anyway).

The brand new Olive View Hospital did what it was supposed to do (wings separated and gently dropped), but was completely destroyed as a result. Most of the 65 deaths occurred at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Fernando, as the building was made of unreinforced masonry. Two freeway overpasses collapsed.

I remember that they evacuated just about everyone who lived between the Van Norman Dam to the north and the Sepulveda Dam Basin in the south. The Van Norman Dam had suffered significant damage.

I spent 4 weeks in the rebuilt Olive View Hospital this past January, and I sort of enjoyed freaking out the nursing staff with stories of how it collapsed 40 years before! Hey, I was bored.