The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-08-28
The Late Terrible ConHagratiOn il
San Fruucisco.

-
San Fruncisco.
Another great condagrsiion has laid in
ruins large portion OF our city.
At about the hour of eleven o'clock on
the morning OF June %, just as the church
bells were announcing The hour for the as
semblage of the various religious dcnom'ua-
tions, the citiZetIs were startled by The fear
ful alarm of 6re pealing from The iire bells.
AT first, little apprehension seemed to be
felt, and it appear ell hut the effort ot mo
menl 10 extingush the flames. Bat on ac-
count of the perfectly dry state of the huiIi-
lngs Of which our city lis composed, AMI the
high winds which prevail at this season, the
communication of the destructive element
was rapid, and soon became uncomfortable.
The origin, progress, aud details o. its
extent, so far as description at the moment,
IS possible, is Us follows: =
THE EXTENT OF THE BURNT DIsriCr
Includes thirteen squares, and parts of
five other squares, situated between Powell
aud Sansone, aud Broadway and Clay,
wiz
Two squares between Powell and Stock
ton and Broadway and jackson, including
the Presbyterian Church-not house with
in those limits left-mosty residences.
Three squares between Stockton and Du-
pont, and Broadway and Washington, ex
cepting two houses--the residence of Or.
ozencraft, and the Baptist Church, cor
ner of w ashngton and Stockton.
Three squares between Dupont and
kcarny and Broadway and Washington,
including the City Hall, (from which, we
learn, all the records were unfortunately
saved) Within these limits only the Bella
Union and The Custom House, Oh The Plaza
were saved. The Alta California build
ings, with most of the materials, destroyed.
Portions of the two squares fronting on
Washington, above and below Dupont, in
Guiding the old Adobe, on the Plaza Fo-
ley's Amphi,heatre hasi ing been torn down,
lett a space which saved the balance of that
block, beyond To the Post Office buildings,
inclusive.
Five squares between Kcarny and Mont
gomery and Broadway and Clay, including
the City Hospital; the middle portions only
OF The two squares between Washington and
Clay were destroyed; all the building front
ing on the lower side Of the Plaza (eXcept
the new theatre adjoining the FL Dorado,
aud all the large fire proof banking build
lngs, from Burgoyne's, south on Moptgom-
cry street, standing without the least injury.
| Also few frame buildings above the City
| Hospital. The Verandah and small brick
building adjoining were saved. The larye
new store of Markwaid, Caspari & CO., on
the north side of jackson street, below
kearny, with large stock of goods, was
destroyed.
The three other portions of squares de-
stroyeh, are below Montgomery, between
w ashington and Broadway, the fire sweep
/ ing the point of the hill. about half way to
Sansome. No building on Jackson below
Montgomery sustained any injury. At The
corner Of Washington below Montgomery,
north, only a few houses were consumed,
though at one moment the flames threaten
eh to spread from This point south to the
frame block otherwise protected by the
large brick blocks Of banking houses, in
which event the fire would have extended
through the several blocks towards the ship
ping. But the active exertlous and pre-
sence of mind of Mr.. Wainwright and 9th
ers, IN blowing up The frames on the corner
above, on the site Of The old Picayune Of
flee, saved that portion of the city.
Eight of these squares are above kearny
and beyond The limi's of the corfagration
OF the 4ih Of May, as are also those por-
tions on Washington above the Plaza, and
on Pacific street and Broadway, in the
neighhorhood Of the City Hospital. The
other five squares and portions of squares
below Montgomery street, embraced new
buildings, put up since the last fire, and
those fire proofs which had borne the test
of the destructive element, and have passed
I the present calamity unharmed.