Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-16
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Boston, Oct. 18th, 1873.

|
To the Editor Of the journal;
One year has nearly passed since the great
er portion of the business part of this
city was laid ir ashes. Great CONGREGATIONS,
though attended with much loss and suffering,
are often source of many improvements in
the appearance of a city thus smitten; and of
causing greater efficiency in the fire depart
ments so that a similar calamity is not likely
to happen again. Such has been the case in
Portland and Chicago, and is being the case
here. reorganization of the fire depart
ment has taken place, fire brigade been or
gained, and the appointment of a fire COM
mission is now being agitated. This last the
people seem to demand, and there have been
several hearings before the city council in
regard to it.
| In lately passing through the burnt district,
l was surprised at the rapidity with which
| fine and substantial structures have sprung
up, and the work of building SO generally
been prosecuted, where not year ago all
was in ruins. There are not now great
many lots but what are covered with build
ings completed or nearly SO. Some of the
blocks are already occupied, and others bear
notices stating that they will be opened very
soon. The fronts of many of the buildings are
brick and freestone; but mostly granite and
remaining walls are mostly of brick. Quite
number are being constructed entirely of
granite or freestone, and the costiest going
up are probably of these materials. The
French roofs are not prevailing very gener-
ally, though they are seen here and there
but when added they are made more secure
against fire than formerly. The buildings
are not built as high generally as before the
fire, and are more uniform. The roofs are
fiat, and dividing walls are built, thus giving
the firemen, in case of FIRE, better chance tt
fight the flames from the top, and the parti
tons serving as a check to the fire. The ap
pearance of the streets will be improved, a
in some cases they have been widened or ex
tended, and the grade raised, and the build
ings which line them are built more with ref
erence to each other, and of more approved
style of architecture.
n On Washington st. the gap which the fir
4 made has been completely filled with fin
G buildings, and presents very pleasing con
4 trast to the blocks opposite, which are rathe
: dingy looking and without uniformity. TIL
new blocks are nearly all only four stories high
They are about ready for occupancy, and il
one or two cases have been opened. Surely
it will be a relief to the Bostonians when they
are permitted to occupy both sidewalks a
this crowded point of crowded street, and
especially since the only walk here is very
: narrow. On the western side of Summer
street the blocks are about all completed and
occupied High street has both sides lined
with blocks, and about ready for occupancy
This appears to me a handsome street, as the
structures are so uniform, substantial look
, ing, and free from ornamentation. On Fed
eral street all the lots occupied by finished
s or nearly finished structures. Here is thu
Miller block, erected on the spot where sew
eral were killed in the fire. Devonshir
street will have probably as fine and costl
u buildings as any of the city. Here is tn
n Rialto, most magnificent granite structure
G which has been finished since the fire, bu
|, was begun before it; also the Gardiner Brew
0 er building of freestone, five stories in height
d and which when completed will cost $500, 1000
# and the Cathedral block with its iron front
v which will be very fine building when fin
q ished. AT the close of another year Boston
Z will show slight traces of the great fire, but
instead will show many magnificent and sub.
stantial business houses. Cas-.