The Great Fire of June 6, 1889, was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started at 2:30 p.m. in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and over the course of the next 18 hours swept a southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The fire left little standing in its wake, consuming buildings, docks, wooden sidewalks, and anything else combustible. Losses from the conflagration were estimated at $20 million. Reconstruction after the fire, the arrival of the railroads, and the Klondike Gold Rush all contributed to tripling Seattle's population over the next decade.

In this image crowds gather to watch the fire on Front Street (later First Avenue) at Union Street. According to the Seattle City Directory for 1888-1889, California Meat Market (sign visible in the center of the frame) was located at 1019 Front Street.

Signs in image: Minneapolis Art Studio; Cabinet Photographs; Seattle Agency for Daily S. F. Examiner Chronicle and Morning Oregonian; California Meat Market

Caption information source: https://www.Seattle.gov/cityarchives/exhibits-and-education/digital-document-libraries/the-great-Seattle-fire-of-1889