September 6, 2023
The Great Seattle Fire: A City Transformed
In the late 19th century, Seattle was a bustling, rapidly growing city. Its downtown streets were lined with wooden buildings, and businesses flourished at ground level. However, this thriving city was about to face a catastrophe that would forever change its skyline.
The Spark that Ignited Chaos
It was a warm summer day in June 1889 when a series of unfortunate events triggered what would later be known as the Great Seattle Fire. A cabinetmaker’s shop located on the corner of Front Street (now 1st Avenue) and Madison Street accidentally caught fire. The flames quickly spread from the shop, fueled by the many wooden structures that comprised Seattle’s downtown.
A City in Flames
As the fire raged, firefighters struggled to contain it. The city’s water supply system was insufficient, and attempts to create firebreaks by demolishing nearby buildings only added to the chaos. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the fire seemed unstoppable.
Rebuilding from Ashes
Realizing that the fire was consuming everything in its path, Seattle residents came together with a determination to rebuild their city better and stronger. Remarkably, the fire destroyed over 30 blocks of the city but miraculously claimed no lives.
Second-Floor Renaissance
In the aftermath of the devastating fire, city planners and business owners faced a significant decision: how to rebuild and protect the city from a similar disaster in the future. The solution they devised was innovative for its time. Instead of rebuilding businesses at street level, they chose to construct new buildings with their main entrances and storefronts on the second floor. This decision had several benefits:
1. Fire Safety
Elevating the main floors helped protect against the risk of future fires. It was thought that fires would be less likely to reach the upper levels, which were now made of more fire-resistant materials like brick and stone.
2. Street Level Flood Prevention
Seattle was prone to flooding, particularly during high tides. Elevating businesses above the street level helped mitigate this issue.
3. Urban Development
The new design encouraged pedestrians to walk on covered sidewalks along the second floor, creating a unique and iconic streetscape that would later become known as the “underground city.”
4. Business Continuity
By quickly rebuilding on the second floor, businesses could resume operations while construction took place below, reducing financial losses.
Unearthing Seattle’s Hidden History
Over time, the city gradually raised the street level to match the new storefronts, leaving the original ground floor spaces below, which became a hidden part of Seattle’s history. Today, visitors can take guided tours to explore the remnants of the “underground city” and learn about the remarkable story of how the Great Seattle Fire transformed the cityscape, making it safer and more resilient in the face of future challenges.
The Great Seattle Fire of 1889, while devastating, ultimately led to a unique urban development solution that defines the character of the city to this day, reminding us of the resilience and ingenuity of Seattle’s early inhabitants.
