Valley Girl Views: Williamsport's Terrible Conflagration

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Williamsport's Terrible Conflagration - The Great Fire of 1871

Williamsport's Great Conflagration, August 20 1871

Two months before the great fire in Chicago, Williamsport had their own great fire. The exact cause was unknown, but the fire began in a stable belonging to C.M. Baker on Black Horse Alley [ now East Church St.]. The fire began at 8pm, and fierce winds blowing from the south quickly spread the flames from East third street to Mulberry street, consuming most of Center Square.

Referred to in local papers as "The Great Conflagration", fire destroyed 45 homes and numerous landmarks, as well as the center of the cities business and culture.

The Great Fire caused more than $300,000 in damage. It was the worst fire to ever hit Williamsport.

One of the landmarks lost in the blaze was the old log Russell Inn at the corner of third and Mulberry Streets. The Inn had served as the first courthouse in Williamsport.

Also lost was the Wayne Train Station, including an entire train of 10 to 15 cars, and it's engine.

Businesses destroyed included a confectionary, a millinery, and the Waverly House Inn. The Methodist Episcopal Church, recently rebuilt after a fire 3 years earlier, was also destroyed.

Williamsport's fire departments had been engaged in battles for years leading up to this fire Frequently they would fight over jurisdiction, and even cut the hoses of competing companies. In the 1871 fire, instead of working together, they instead competed with each other for the honor of fighting the fire, and for the money that went with successfully quelling a fire. They competed for access to the hydrants, and fought over the water that was needed, as the fire raged around them and spread throughout the area.

Early photo of horse drawn fire equipment in Williamsport Pa

After the big fire, the city decided a full-time paid fire service would better serve the area and, in 1874, a fire board was elected.

Three days later, two young girls were killed on their way home from the market, when the walls of Mrs. Packer's home collapsed, after the fire.

The two little girls were returning from the market, when they stopped where several children were playing nearby, to see the ruins. Suddenly, the ruined walls came crashing down, burying the girls in the stones and plaster. A daughter of James Stevens was slightly injured. A son of Joseph Rader was knocked unconscious, but soon recovered. Amanda Mutzler, age 11, was badly crushed. She died within minutes of being found. Her sister Mary, age seven, "lingered for two hours in great agony" before death ended her suffering.

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