FIRE!!!!

A huge fire destroyed the business district of Tallahassee on May 25, 1843.  It apparantly started at Washington Hall.  This was a building that faced the SE of the Capitol.  In a little over three hours the fire destroyed at least ninety businesses, and a few homes also.  Only two of the local merchants had fire insurance.  The fire occured after a long drought, during which people had limited access to water.  At that time, Tallahassee had no reservoir. 

In addition, during those years, there was no organized fire department, and the buildings were definitely not fireproof, since they were built of wood.  The fire burned itself out at the wide expanse of what was called 200-Foot Square.  This area is currently known as the Chain of Parks. 

One of the local papers, The Sentinel, reported on the damage.  Their coverage indicated from the capitol  to the courthouse square and between Adams and Calhoun Streets, there were but three or four buildings left standing

Residents, along with influential folks and the Mayor, appealed to major newspapers across the country for help.  The appeal included facts such as Tallahassee was a major exporter of cotton, and also imported from Northern merchants goods that were valued at twice the amount of the cotton exports.  The monies came from all over the country, including some from Europe.  A Fire Relief Fund was established, with leftover monies going for school purposes.  Those funds created the first public school in this area.

In addition to soliciting funds, a fireproof building ordinance was passed.  After the fire, makeshift structures were constructed so the merchants could sell whatever they had salvaged.  Before spring arrived,all the debris was gone, and in its place were brand new fireproof brick stores.  Once again, the town and its citizens came together to assit those in need.

This misfortune came on the heels of several other events, that could have driven residents into depression.  The Union Bank failed in 1837.  The Cotton crops failed in 1840 and 1841.  The yellow fever epidemic in 1841 killed several hundred local residents.   Through it all, Tallahasseans presevered.  And, they still do today!!