The Great Galveston Fire of 1885

📍Visit our interactive map!

Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: Rosenberg Fountains
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District

Interested in information covered in this episode? Dive deeper into the links below! :

Great Fire 1885: https://www.galvestonhistorycenter.org/news/the-great-galveston-fire-of-1885

Photos & Story from Galveston Daily News:
https://www.galvnews.com/news/specialreports/free/article_a7fdf21f-96e4-5454-b3d7-b12d893e84a9.html

Most Galvestonians are familiar with the 1900 Storm and other major hurricanes. Another disaster you may not have heard of is the Great Fire of 1885, which burned over 500 homes across 40 city blocks, displacing thousands of residents.The fire started In the middle of the night, on November 13th, A fire broke outA fire broke out on Strand between 16th and 17th St at the Vulcan iron works foundry. 

The strong Northerly November winds spread the fire quickly into the east end district. Burning just about every wooden building in its path from 16th to 19th street from Strand to the Gulf of Mexico. 

The only thing left standing at most homes were brick fireplaces and chimneys. 

Although it was devastating to the houses and structures, there was actually only 1 recorded death related to the fire. 

Thousands of Galvestonions were left homeless, luckily, local churches, businesses and neighbors took in most of the homeless until their homes could be rebuilt. 

The recovery began almost immediately. At the time, Galveston was one of the largest and most prominent cities in Texas, and the national media spread the news. Within the first day of the word spreading, over $40,000 was raised to assist those in need. 

Although, Galveston had a fire department, it was only a little over a month old at the time of the fire and had little experience and a small amount of equipment.. This devastating event gave rise to a new and improved Galveston Fire Department, which all Island residents now wholeheartedly supported. 

Monetary damages are estimated at around $2 million, which is around $60 million dollars today. 

If you are ever househunting on the east end of Galveston Island and you were wondering why most of the homes we’re built between 1886 and 1890, more than likely that home replaced a previous home on that lot. 

The fire gave rise to much of the beautiful Victorian architecture you see on the east end of the island today. 

Next time you see a fireman, be sure to thank them! We never know how quickly disaster can strike!