Podcast: Galveston Ablaze: The Great Fire of 1885

The word of the day is conflagration.

When bad weather or natural disasters impact the island, the big problem is usually water. Most people know about the Great Hurricane of 1900, a devastating natural disaster that claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction on and off of Galveston Island.

But early in the city's history, fire was another major threat to life and property on the island. Galveston has experienced fires that have destroyed the downtown area And even entire neighborhoods. Often overshadowed by the destruction of the 1900 storm, a significant disaster you may not have heard of is the Great Fire of 1885, which burned down over 500 homes across 40 city blocks, displacing thousands of island residents.

After this disaster, the Galveston Daily News reported that the fire was "one of the most terrible conflagrations that not only Galveston but Texas has ever had to occur within its confines." By 1885, Galveston was no stranger to fire. Most homes and buildings on the island were built of wood, and there wasn't a standardized fire safety code for construction.

Before 1885, the city used volunteer firefighters to protect it. But coordinating these efforts proved to be a real challenge. Just about a month before this Great Fire, Galveston established the first paid fire department in Texas, the young department was also immediately subject to a literal baptism of fire.

On November 12th, 1885, an unusually strong wind began blowing in from the northeast when Islanders went to sleep. At about 2:00 AM on Friday the 13th, Galvestonians woke to alarm bells ringing in the heart of the city. A fire had broken out on the northeastern side of the island at the Vulcan Ironworks Foundry, an industrial site located on the Strand between 16th and 17th streets. Between 2 and 4 AM, wind speeds hit 30 miles an hour, flinging sparks and flames from building to building. The Galveston Daily News reported, "The rapidity with which the flames then spread was remarkable. The entire atmosphere appeared to be a sea of sparks and fire surging through the southwest."

The strong, northerly winds quickly spread the fire into the East End district, burning just about every wooden structure in its path. The fire department faced challenges with a limited water supply and a lack of equipment, which hampered efforts to control the flames. Galvestonians woke to the panic and jumped into action. Many residents tried to save furniture and other valuables by dragging them out of their homes into the streets. There was even a circus in town that had to pull up stakes and flee to safety. The Daily News reported, "Thousands of geese, ducks, seagulls, and other wildfowl presented a beautiful spectacle as they floated high above the burning buildings. " The newspaper called the scene " sublime in its awfulness."

Some Galvestonians were hopeful that the flames could be stopped before they crossed certain streets or blocks. But the winds overwhelmed every effort, and once it crossed Market Street, people could only watch the column of fire consume the vulnerable buildings. The Daily News reported that Islanders mourned "each shining mark of architectural beauty as they would yield and crumble to ashes."

By 4 AM., it seemed like the whole city was awake and at the scene. The, quote, cyclonic wind laden with fire spread the conflagration southwest across Broadway almost to the Gulf, cutting the urbanized portion of the city in half. By 7am, the fire was reportedly under control, but it's really tough to call it under control when over 40 city blocks were burned to the ground.

Over 500 homes, some of the island's finest, were completely destroyed in the span of a few hours. 568 houses were lost, from 16th to 19th Street, and from the Strand to the Gulf, Brick fireplaces and chimneys were the only things left standing, leaving over 2, 000 Galvestonians homeless.

As locals began assessing the damage and checking on their neighbors, the first question everyone asked was, "were you burned?" Reports suggest that there were very few if any, injuries. As the fire spread, residents in the path of destruction were warned to get out of their homes. The monetary damages of this fire were estimated at around 2 million, which is approximately 65 million today.

Although it devastated the houses and structures, there were no recorded deaths related to the fire. But thousands of Galvestonians were left destitute, and the recovery effort began immediately. Local churches, businesses, and neighbors took in most of the homeless until their homes could be rebuilt. The island sprang into action to salvage what they could and help their neighbors.

The Daily News reported that "Every conceivable kind of vehicle was pressed into service into moving furniture." Within the first day, over $40,000 was raised locally to assist those in need. In addition, an opera performance was held at the Tremont Opera House, and all proceeds went to the island's relief fund. At this time, Galveston was one of Texas largest and most prominent cities, and one of the United States most important ports.

A fire of this size made the headlines across the country. And as the news spread, condolences and donations came pouring in from all over the United States. Telegraph companies offered to use their lines free of charge, and shipping companies offered to transport food and clothing for free. The nation rallied around Galveston, demonstrating a heartwarming unity and solidarity, a type of support that we don't see too much of today.

Remember, the Galveston Fire Department was only a month old, but this fire brought long-term changes to the island's fire department, which all island residents now wholeheartedly supported. As a result, firefighters on the island would be better compensated, better trained, and better equipped.

The east end of the island regrew from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1885. Locals quickly rebuilt their homes and lives, showcasing a resilience that can still be seen today. The reconstruction not only modernized the island's architecture but also solidified a culture of community resilience that has defined Galveston for over a century.

In a way, the fire was a catalyst for progress, leading to a more modern and resilient Galveston. , one city mandate to come out of the 1885 fire was to add a slate roof to your home. In the case of a spreading fire, these slate shingles would keep flying embers from catching your roof on fire.