WJXT Channel 4 - Jacksonville, FL
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JACKSONVILLE, 1:01 p.m. EDT May 3, 2001 -- In just over eight hours of May 3, 1901, a fire that started in a mattress factory would sweep through 146 city blocks of Jacksonville, destroying over 2,000 buildings, taking seven lives, and leaving almost 9,000 people homeless.
A spark from a kitchen fire during the lunch hour set mattresses filled with Spanish moss on fire at the factory, located in what we now call LaVilla.
"All that caught on fire and exploded, casting sparks of moss into the city, where the wind picked up and carried it block to block," Dr. Wayne Wood, a local historian and author of a book on the Great Fire of 1901, said. "These houses with wooden roofs ... caught on fire like tinder, spreading block to block. Before you knew it, downtown was ablaze."
It is said the glow from the flames could be seen in Savannah, Ga.; smoke plumes in Raleigh, N.C.
The Confederate monument in Hemming Plaza was one of the few structures to survive. Witnesses said that the base was glowing red.
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One hundred years later, around the monument, a new city has sprung up.
"Virtually the entire city burned and it was an opportunity," River City Rising anniversary committee member Jeff Dunn said. "We built on that, and new we see what's come out of that around us everyday."
On May 2-5, 2001, the City of Jacksonville is observing the anniversary of this devastating fire and celebrating the city's growth throughout the 20th century. Events will look into the past of the city which would become modern-day Jacksonville.
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Some of the Great Fire Centennial activities include:
Thursday, May 3
12:30 p.m. Commemorative Marker Placement Ceremony at Hemming Plaza, Downtown Jacksonville
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Free Historic Trolley Tours of Fire Route, courtesy of Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Jacksonville Historical Society Trolleys depart from Hemming Plaza
2:30 p.m. Unveiling of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company Historic Site Marker. Corner of Ocean and Union Streets, Downtown Jacksonville
6:30 p.m. Debut of Dr. Wayne Wood's book, "The Great Fire of 1901," (co-authored by late Florida Times-Union columnist Bill Foley) Ritz Theatre/LaVilla Museum
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7:30 p.m. Jacksonville Historical Society Annual Meeting. Ritz Theatre/LaVilla Museum
Friday, May 4
9 a.m. 1 p.m. Jacksonville Fire Museum School Field Trips
Noon 2 p.m. Free Historic Trolley Tours of Fire Route, courtesy of Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Jacksonville Historical Society. Trolleys from Hemming Plaza
5 p.m. 8 p.m. Friday Fest at Hemming Plaza, featuring Swamp Dogs. Free admission
5:30 p.m. Free Art Opening at Snyder Memorial. Dr. Wayne Wood to sign "The Great Fire of 1901"
6 p.m. Progressive Dinner & Loft Tour, beginning at Snyder Memorial, $50. For ticket information call (904) 355-4700
8 p.m. River City Cornet Band Turn of the Century Concert at Snyder Memorial. Free admission
Saturday, May 5
10 a.m. 5 p.m. Florida Antique Fire Muster and Fire Collectibles Emporium. Antique fire engines, equipment displays and demonstrations, tours of the Jacksonville Fire Museum, music by River City Dixieland, children's activities, vendors and photo opportunities. Free admission. Located at the Sports Complex. For more information call (904) 630-3690
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Downtown Hard-Hat Loft Tour. Walking tour from Hemming Plaza or trolley from Kids Kampus, $5. For ticket information call (904) 355-4700
11:00 a.m. Grand Opening of the Restored Jacksonville Fire Museum. Catherine Street Fire Station, West of Metropolitan Park
Noon 3 p.m. Free Historic Trolley Tours of Fire Route, courtesy of Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Jacksonville Historical Society. Trolley from Kids Kampus
