3-047-115 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Fire at Boston: opening of safes after the fire, 1872. Illustration of damage after '...the great fire, which destroyed nearly all the commercial business part of Boston, United States, on Saturday, the 9th, and Sunday, the 10th November... State-street, which lies just beyond the farthest reach of the fire, but was thought to be in extreme danger, is the head-quarters of bankers, brokers, and moneyed men - the Lombard-street of Boston...[View shows] the scene of excitement and bustle here, on the Sunday and Monday, when the fire broke out again, threatening to involve State-street in the general disaster...Cash-boxes, bills, and draughts, deeds, and other valuable securities, were hastily gathered up and carried off to places of greater safety. Fortunately, the destructive element was subdued before it could do actual mischief in State-street, where so many guarantees of Boston financial credit were deposited. The anxious inspection of the contents of private safes, after the hurly-burly of that terrible day, was a curious study of human character. Upon the whole, Boston has gone through the ordeal with a degree of steady and resolute energy, worthy of the first city in New England, and which Old England must heartily respect'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.