On This Day

Great Fire in Seattle destroys 25 downtown blocks

The Great Seattle Fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of Seattle, Washington, on June 6, 1889.

The Great Seattle Fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of Seattle, Washington, on June 6, 1889. The conflagration lasted for less than a day, burning through the afternoon and into the night, during the same summer as the Great Spokane Fire and the Great Ellensburg Fire. Seattle quickly rebuilt using brick buildings that sat 20 feet (6.1 m) above the original street level. Its population swelled during reconstruction, becoming the largest city in the newly admitted state of Washington.

Historical Significance

The Great Seattle Fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of Seattle, Washington, on June 6, 1889.

Events Before

  1. The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., to promote "the increase and diffusion of geographic kno

    The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., to promote "the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge" [1]

  2. “Father of American Golf” John Reid first demonstrates golf on a Yonkers cow pasture to friends

    “Father of American Golf” John Reid first demonstrates golf on a Yonkers cow pasture to friends

  3. The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and pea

    The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace

  4. Industrialist Henry Ford (24) weds Clara Jane Bryant (22) in Greenfield Township, Michigan

    Industrialist Henry Ford (24) weds Clara Jane Bryant (22) in Greenfield Township, Michigan

  5. Crouching start first used in track and field by Charles Sherrill of Yale

    Crouching start first used in track and field by Charles Sherrill of Yale

Events After

  1. Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

    Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

  2. Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government

    Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.

  3. German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck resigns after 19 years after a disagreement with German Emperor Wilhelm II

    German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck resigns after 19 years after a disagreement with German Emperor Wilhelm II

  4. Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (49) weds Aline Victorine Charigot

    Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (49) weds Aline Victorine Charigot

  5. Canadian boxer George Dixon becomes the first Black world champion when he stops English bantamweight champion Edwin "Nu

    Canadian boxer George Dixon becomes the first Black world champion when he stops English bantamweight champion Edwin "Nunc" Wallace in 18 rounds in London

More from the 1880s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 6, 1889?
The Great Seattle Fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of Seattle, Washington, on June 6, 1889. The conflagration lasted for less than a day, burning through the afternoon and into the night, during the same summer as the Great Spokane Fire and the Great Ellensburg Fire. Seattle quickly rebuilt using brick buildings that sat 20 feet (6.1 m) above the original street level.
Why is Great Fire in Seattle destroys 25 downtown blocks significant?
The Great Seattle Fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of Seattle, Washington, on June 6, 1889.

Explore More