Like so many other Portlanders, Joe is both proud and fascinated by his hometown's rich history. Today, he wants to call your attention to a pivotal and frightening moment in our beautiful city's past: the Great Fire of 1866, which began on the afternoon of July 4th, 1866 near the present-day location of Rufus Deering's lumber yard and spread northward across the city until it burned out on Munjoy Hill in the early morning of July 5th. If you're not familiar with this historic event, what better time to learn about it than its 150th anniversary? That's what Greater Portland Landmarks believes anyway, and that's why they're hosting a fun and educational event to commemorate the Great Fire.
Tonight, June 29, from 6-8pm, climb aboard a trolley on Commercial Street and follow the path of the fire's destruction with local historian Herb Adams. At the top of Munjoy Hill, climb the Portland Observatory and imagine the view on July 6, 1866 of a still smoldering city. Hear about the people and places affected by the fire. Learn about the efforts following the fire to ensure that Portland would never again suffer destruction by a fire of this scope and magnitude.
Learn more about this great event here, and more about Greater Portland Landmarks here. Joe hopes the event is a great success and hopes everyone using fireworks on July 4th exercises extra caution this year!
