The Great Boston Fire of 1872

The Great Boston fire of 1872 began at 7:20pm on November 9, 1872. The fire broke out in the basement of a commercial warehouse at 83-87 Summer Street. The fire burned for approximately 12 hours before it was finally contained. During this time, it consumed approximately 65 acres (26 ha) of downtown Boston. 776 buildings and an extensive part of the financial district were destroyed, causing an estimated $73.5 million in damages. Thirteen people lost their lives in the inferno.

1872 Fire Engine

Great Boston Fire of 1872. Photo shows Federal Street, Post Office remains, fire engine, firemen and spectators. (Library of Congress)

Remains at Washington & Bromfield Streets

Aftermath of the Great Boston Fire of 1872 – Washington & Bromfield Streets. GPS coordinates = 42.356382°N 71.059485°W. (Wikipedia)

Ruins of Burr, Taft & Co. Devonshire St. (Library of Congress)

Remains of Claflin Larrabee building. (Library of Congress)

Fire Aftermath Photos

Fire aftermath photo, Bostonians inspecting the damage. (Wikipedia)

Another aftermath photo. (Wikipedia)

1872 Boston Fire Aftermath Photo – Soldiers standing guard at building storefront ruins. (Wikipedia)

Remains of Donahoes block, Franklin St. (Library of Congress)

Firefighters hosing down debris after the fire had subsided. Bachelder’s Wharf, Federal St. (Library of Congress)

Franklin St. Ruins

Franklin St – Photo shows Old South Meeting House in background; Tents and men in foreground. (Library of Congress)

Franklin St ruins – After the Great Boston Fire of 1872. (Library of Congress)

Bank of North America ruins. Sign placed after the fire reads “Bank of North America Removed to 70 State St.”

Old Post Office Building

Ruins after the fire. Old Post Office building at left. (Library of Congress)

Another photo of the Old Post Office building shown at left of the photo. (Library of Congress)

Remains of the rear part of the Old Post Office Building. (Library of Congress)

Bird’s-eye Map View of Boston in 1872 – Showing the burned district. (Wikipedia)

Washington Street, North from Winter – Old South Meeting House in background. (Library of Congress)

Great Boston Fire of 1872 – Federal Street – Hunt and Company. Men inspecting ruins, holding large saw blade. (Library of Congress)

Franklin Street – Before and after the Great Boston Fire of 1872. (Wikipedia)

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