Spokane Fires
Title
Spokane Fires
Description
The summer of 1889 was particularly dry in the Pacific Northwest. Forest fires throughout the region were joined by a massive urban fire in Seattle on June 3rd. On August 4th, a fire ignited in a lodging house near the Northern Pacific Depot on Railroad Avenue in the city of Spokane Falls. Racing through the makeshift wooden buildings near the railroad tracks, the flames rapidly spread to the brick downtown. The fire department could not contain the blaze due to equipment failure. In the end, 32 blocks of the city center were razed.
These black and white images are a sample of the Northwest Room's collections showing the aftermath of this fire. Some of the photographs are views of the burnt-out streets and blocks indicating the physical effects of the fire and early reconstruction efforts. The others document the improvised quarters of businesses in the city in the period immediately after the fire.
These black and white images are a sample of the Northwest Room's collections showing the aftermath of this fire. Some of the photographs are views of the burnt-out streets and blocks indicating the physical effects of the fire and early reconstruction efforts. The others document the improvised quarters of businesses in the city in the period immediately after the fire.
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Collection Items
Spokane Fire, 1889 (#12)
The first electric line being strung along Main Avenue after the 1889 fire.
Spokane Fire, 1889 (#27)
Clough & Graves Real Estate, Bank of Spokane Falls. J.C. Eaton operating out of tents after fire.
Spokane Fire, 1889 (#21)
Offices of Clough & Graves Co. and J. C. Eaton Co. in tents after the fire.
Spokane Fire, 1889 (#24)
Map showing boundaries of the August 4, 1889 fire. Map owned and drawn by Robert Hyslop, 1982.
Spokane -- Fires (#04)
"Site of Spokane fire of 1883. The x marks Glover's house. It was later moved to Browne's addition."
Spokane -- Fires (#02)
"View of a portion of the city after of the fire of 1883 showing piles of goods scattered somewhat about."
Spokane -- Washington Water Power Company (#01)
"Washington Water Power temporary headquarters after the Spokane fire of 1889. The great fire struck the city's downtown in early August, just five months after WWP was created. Using any wire that would carry 10 amps - including barbed ware -…