Historic markers on the Old Federal Building on First Avenue in Seattle. The Great Seattle Fire started here at the corner of Madison Street.
Like other American cities which had major fires in the 1800s, Seattle received a publicity boost from its Great Fire of June 6, 1889. Telegrams went out to other cities’ newspapers telling of the heroic efforts to save property and that no lives were lost in Seattle’s fire.
After Seattle’s big fire, city leaders quickly organized to rebuild Seattle’s downtown core on a better street grid and with improved utilities. The city population jumped, swelled by people from all over the USA who came hoping to get jobs in Seattle’s rebuilding program.
Out in Barnes County, North Dakota, a young man named Frank Vickers Cook heard about the Great Seattle Fire and thought of the opportunities that might be available to him. He had just one more thing to do before going to Seattle: complete his North Dakota homestead claim and then arrange to sell the land.
There is a memorial marker for the Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889, placed on the old Federal Building at 1st & Madison Streets.
Wedgwood in Seattle History 