Jacksonville's 1901 Fire - Jacksonville, FL
Posted by: 
lazyCachers
N 30° 19.783 W 081° 39.572
17R E 436600 N 3355505
Located in Hemming Plaza in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
Waymark Code: WM3TT4
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/17/2008
Views: 51
The Marker text states:
""On May 3, 1901 at 12:30 p.m., a fire began at the Cleaveland Fibre Factory, ten blocks northwest of this site. Chimney embers ignited sun-dried moss to be used as mattress stuffing. Fueled by wind and dry weather, the fire roared east destroying most structures in its path. By 3:30 p.m., the fire reached this site, then called Hemming Park. The park and its renowned live oaks were devoured by the flames and only the Confederate Monument survived, its base glowing red from heat. The fire continued an eastward march to Hogan's Creek, where a citizens' bucket brigade stayed the flames. Then, turning south, the inferno roared to Bay Street's riverfront docks. Extreme heat caused a waterspout in the river where rescue boats trolled for survivors. The fire was so intense, black smoke clouds could be seen as far away as South Carolina. As flames moved west on Bay Street, the firefighters gallant stand and dying winds brought the fire under control by 8:30 p.m. In just eight hours, nearly 10,000 people were homeless, 2,368 buildings were lost, 146 city blocks were destroyed, but miraculously only seven people perished. Jacksonville's 1901 Fire remains the most destructive burning of a Southern city in U.S. history."
Type of Structure: other
Other: City of Jacksonville
Fire Date: 05/03/1901
Structure status: Plaque
Cause of Fire:
Chimney embers ignited sun-dried moss to be used as mattress stuffing.
Documentation of the fire: [Web Link]
Construction Date: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. Did you learn anything after reading about the fire in the waymark? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.