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Remembering the Great Seattle Fire

Take a look back at the devastation that reshaped Seattle.

LEVI PULKKINEN
The Great Seattle Fire swept through the city on June 6, 1889, leaving a smoldering city ready to be rebuilt. Take a look back at the devastated city.  The photo, from seattlepi.com's archive, is said to be from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.
seattlepi.com file

The Great Seattle Fire swept through the city on June 6, 1889, leaving a smoldering city ready to be rebuilt. Take a look back at the devastated city.  The photo, from seattlepi.com's archive, is said to be from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Beginning of the Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889: A fire started when a glue pot spilled in a carpentry shop, and the blaze quickly spread on June 6, 1889, destroying 29 square blocks including the entire business district. With no adequate water system to put it out, the city was helpless as flames engulfed railroad terminals and nearly all of the city’s wharves.
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBeginning of the Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889: A fire started when a glue pot spilled in a carpentry shop, and the blaze quickly spread on June 6, 1889, destroying 29 square blocks including the entire business district. With no adequate water system to put it out, the city was helpless as flames engulfed railroad terminals and nearly all of the city’s wharves.
A close up photo of the Post-Intelligencer with a story of the Great Seattle Fire.
P-I FileA close up photo of the Post-Intelligencer with a story of the Great Seattle Fire.
A map from 1889, showing details of how much The Great Seattle Fire destroyed. The map shows that it nearly took out half of the downtown area and all of Seattle's business district.
P-I FileA map from 1889, showing details of how much The Great Seattle Fire destroyed. The map shows that it nearly took out half of the downtown area and all of Seattle's business district.
The view from Post Street, circa 1889: The heart of Seattle’s business district sat astride Yesler Way, seen here from Post Street, before the Great Seattle Fire. The Occidental Hotel is in the center of the photo. At far left is the Seattle Post-Intelligencer building.
Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe view from Post Street, circa 1889: The heart of Seattle’s business district sat astride Yesler Way, seen here from Post Street, before the Great Seattle Fire. The Occidental Hotel is in the center of the photo. At far left is the Seattle Post-Intelligencer building.