In 1886 Charleston, South Carolina had a population of 53,000. The Ashley and Cooper Rivers create a peninsula where Charleston sits. The Old Farmer’s Almanac-Acts of God noted that at 9:51 PM on August 31, 1866, a shudder passed through the city followed by an unusual rolling sound that increased to a deafening roar.  Every person, building and the earth was in jarring motion for 40 seconds. Residents of nearby Summerville reported booms that sounded like artillery fire. Panic enveloped Charleston and The Great Charleston Earthquake recorded 17 major shocks, destroying more than 100 buildings with total damage estimated at $6 million. The same quake was felt from Canada to Cuba and from Iowa to Bermuda.