by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: January 08, 2009

By 1889, the business district of Seattle, Washington consisted of densely packed, poorly constructed, mostly-wooden buildings. The majority of storeowners and employees in this true wild west town were of EuroAmerican heritage. One such employee was a Swede, Mr. John E. Back, working in a cabinetmaker's shop.

With limited English, Mr. Back (or Bach) explained his part in the June 6, 1889 great Seattle fire after he and the fire's point of origin were finally properly identified. The young carpenter revealed that he was melting glue balls in a large pot directly over a flame. Startled to see the hot, melted glue begin to produce its own flames, he grabbed a container of cold water and threw it at the fire, unaware that cold water would cause a bigger flare-up.

Another theory, put forth by one of the others in the room that day, was that somehow the glue pot tipped over or the fiery, melted glue boiled over the edges onto the floor which was speckled with wood shavings, further fueling the fire.

Twenty-five city blocks, (thirty-two according to another source), one hundred twenty acres, in the central business district were soon in flames. So hot and fast spreading was the conflagration that some buildings melted without even catching fire.

Miraculously, no one was killed. Thousands of people, however, were displaced from their homes and/or lost their employment and only source of income.

Regardless of how the great Seattle fire was started, and by whom, the impact was immense and unexpected.

Because the United States was experiencing a lull in those years following the Civil War, citizens from every state paid attention to the extraordinary occurrence in Seattle, Washington. Press coverage resulted in more press coverage, and aid poured in from government and private sources.

In effect, Seattle hit the mother lode, quickly amassing everything they needed to rebuild. The after-effect was that the good citizens united to bring back this essential part of their city. In addition, the city's population nearly doubled, to 40,000, after the fire, making Seattle the largest city in the state of Washington. This increased population also contributed to the city's revenues.

Downtown Seattle took only two years to rebuild. Optimistic business owners pitched white tents, most in the same locations where they previously operated. Some also lived in their tents.

City building regulations were revised and contained previously lacking consistencies. Brick replaced wood. Buildings

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>