Clinton Fire
A fiery history at Clinton St.
Clinton Street is a hot topic, literally. This section of the trifecta has a dramatic and fire-filled history. Fires not only put people in physical danger, but they damage the physical environment. Certain buildings in our cities hold important significance and are symbols on the cityscape, such as Clinton Market. What happens when the buildings are subject to destruction? How does that impact the residents? Keep reading to find out!
Back to the Parcel Home PageWhat is Clinton Market?
Clinton Market was a landmark in Boston for its organic shape and presence of various merchants. In contrast to surrounding brick buildings, Clinton Market was only one story and constructed out of wood. It was a long structure allowing the open space to be “subdivided by partitions into many business places, all utilized by dressed beef and provision people,” making it mainly a market for beef and produce dealers. The main occupants inside were “three great Chicago and Western bread companies, the Armour, Swift and Hammond,”. The openness of the inside allowed freight cars only emphasizing the accommodations made for transportation and movement. Next to the building is a two story building with fish dealers, C. Hunt & Co fish dealers, alluding to the proximity to the harbor.
Fire Tragedy
Clinton Market was entirely destroyed in a fire event. How did the building itself contribute to its own destruction? The answer lies in the construction and purpose. The construction of wood instead of brick, open concept, and one story didn’t aid in the slowing down of the fire, but rather accelerated it. The purpose of the building, as a market, had a heavy concentration of beef vendors. These vendors inevitably carried and dispersed oils coating the wood which also accelerated the fire.
The total economic loss was estimated to be around “$240,000” which is almost worth $7,000,000 in today's currency. The market operations were stunted, a landmark was lost, and the residents of Boston have a permanent image of smoke extending into the skyline.
Fire Events Continue on Clinton St.
Clinton St. fell victim to another fire event in 1971. Due to the timeline, the fire was better documented through photography. However, the reaction by the residents remains the same, whether captured on film or not. The crowds of residents to witness the destruction illustrates how the built environment holds power to provoke emotional responses.
Bibliography
Boston (Mass.). Traffic & Parking Department. "Atlantic Avenue opposite Clinton Market." Photograph. October 19, 1948. Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth-oai:h415sb65f
"CLINTON MARKET: ENTIRELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. LOSS ESTIMATED AT $240,000. EARLY EVENING BLAZE ON BEDFORD STREET. FIREMAN CROTTY'S ARM TORN OUT. PEABODY INSTITUTE AT DANVERS BURNED TO THE GROUND. FIREMEN IMPEDED. MOBS ON THE ROOF THROW GRAVEL AT FIRE FIGHTERS. INDIVIDUAL LOSSES. DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF THE OLD MARKET. DEALERS WELL INSURED. D. W. KEYES SAID THEY WERE ALWAYS AFRAID OF FIRE. TWO NARROW ESCAPES. LADDERMEN NEARLY SUFFOCATED INSIDE THE MARKET. POLICE ARRANGEMENTS. 'TWAS A BIG BEOF ROAST. ... ARM TORN FROM SOOKET. ENGINEER CROTTY BADLY HURT AT A FIRE ON BEDFORD STREET. BLAZE IN CAMBRIDGE-LOSS 1000. YOUNG'S HOTEL NOT DESTROYED. PEABODY INSTITUTE GONE. LOSS 35,000, FULLY INSURED-DONER'S PORTRAIT SAVED. CONCORD BLOOK BURNED. LARGE ENTERPRISES DESTROYED THIS MORNING -LOSS 60,000. LIKE LAST NOVEMEBR. FIRE STARTED ON THE SAME SPOT AND STOPPED WITH 1500." 1890.Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Jul 03, 1890. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/clinton-market/docview/494150150/se-2?accountid=11456.
"Crowd watching firemen battling fire on Clinton Street, Boston." Photograph. April 20, 1971. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/zs25xm88z
"DARING WORK OF A FIREBUG: BUILDING ON CLINTON ST DESTROYED. FIRE SET IN TWO PLACES AND OIL FREELY USED. GARDEN PRODUCE CAUSED DENSE SMOKE. OF INCENDIARY ORIGIN. FIRE IN HOUSE ON MELENDY AV, WAL THAM, SO REGARDED BY POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS. FIRES AT SEABROOK. ONE BURNED BARN, THREE DWELLINGS AND THE SEEKONK CHURCH--OTHER WENT OVER 50 ACRES OF LAND." 1905.Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Apr 26, 1905. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/daring-work-firebug/docview/500363978/se-2?accountid=11456.
"Firemen battling fire on Clinton Street, Boston." Photograph. April 20, 1971. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/zs25xm829
"Firemen battling fire on Clinton Street, Boston." Photograph. April 20, 1971. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/zs25xm943
“Inflation Rate between 1890-2021: Inflation Calculator.” $240,000 in 1890→2021 | Inflation Calculator, n.d.
https: //www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1890?amount=240000
Jones, Leslie. "Clinton Market in snow." Photograph. 1950. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/8c97kz183
Jones, Leslie. "Clinton & Mercantile Mkt., Market District, wintertime from Custom House Tower." Photograph. 1927. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/5h73rb448
"View of Clinton Street fire from East Boston." Photograph. April 20, 1971. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/zs25xn108