Credit: Heritage Resources, Saint John
Making Headlines
On June 20, 1877 a fire erupted at Henry Fairweather’s storehouse at York Point, in the vicinity of present-day Market Square and burned out of control for nine hours, destroying the business and residential heart of the city.
Known as ‘the Great Fire of 1877’, it made headlines around the world and rivalled the great fires of Chicago (1871) and Boston (1872) in size and significance.
Much of Saint John at this time was built of wood structures, which were highly flammable. Despite the quick reaction from Saint John’s firefighters, the fire grew out of control quickly as a result of strong wind and dry conditions. When it was over, more than 200 acres and 1,600 structures were destroyed including eight churches, six banks and 14 hotels. The area destroyed was almost the entire central peninsula south of King Street to the Barrack Green.
A map of the fire’s destruction. The three buildings at No. 1, 5 and 13 Chipman Hill were the physical fire break, which prevented the fire from burning the north side of King Street and east along Union Street.
Credit: Heritage Resources, Saint John
Credit: Heritage Resources, Saint John
The Aftermath
Twenty-one people died and thousands lost everything they owned. Insurance is said to have covered only a quarter of the estimated $28 million in losses (that would be more than $800 million today).
This fire could well have meant the end of Saint John were it not for the determination and spirit of the citizens. Architects, engineers, masons, carpenters and labourers came from all over the continent to aid in the rebuilding of the city. The prophecy that “from these very ashes and ruins a brighter, a more glorious and more prosperous city will arise” came true, for within five years the city was rebuilt.
While more than half of the structures were rebuilt with wood, as you walk in Uptown Saint John today, you will see many buildings constructed of brick and stone to guard against fire, clearly identifying them as part of the major post-fire rebuild. In some instances you may notice a white cross under a window, a signal to firefighters that anyone needing to be rescued would be in that room. Many of these buildings are in the Trinity Royal Heritage Preservation Area.
This was one of the buildings that survived the Great Fire. Cornelius Sparrow was an escaped slave with a successful business career in the city. He lived on Leinster Street, just a block from this park. His Victoria Dining Saloon was on Germain Street. This photo was taken on the morning of the Great Fire on June 20, 1877.
Credit: Heritage Resources, Saint John
King Street Great Uptown Fire – EJ Russell King’s Square 1877 Macapeass Ground, Lower Cove Orange Street, July 1877 Germain Street Baptist Church, 1877 Canterbury Street, July 1877 Fire District, York Point, July 1877 Prince William Street, July 1877 King’s Square shanty town included liquor merchants, tailors, sign painters and paper hangers. This is Harrison Avenue. The businesses shown here include Burnham’s furniture manufacturer and Della Torre’s fancy goods. They were located on Bell Tower Avenue. King’s Square water fountain surrounded by its cast iron railing forms the backdrop for these men. James Campbell the plumber was on Shawmutt Avenue. Temporary housing was set up in both King’s Square and at the Barrack Green. The ruins of the Ordnance Corps building at the Barrack Green is in the rear.
