The Great Fire of Spokane occurred on August 4th, 1889. It began in a paint and oil shop in the downtown area and quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions. The fire department was ill-equipped to handle a fire of this magnitude and struggled to contain the flames. The city's water supply was also limited, which hindered their efforts to put out the fire.

The fire burned for over 12 hours, destroying over 30 city blocks and leaving an estimated 2,000 people homeless. Despite the devastating loss, the people of Spokane refused to give up. They immediately began to rebuild the city, utilizing new and innovative building methods to protect against future fires. The rebuilding effort was led by prominent citizens like Daniel Corbin and A.M. Cannon, who played a key role in the transformation of Spokane into the thriving city it is today.

The Great Fire of Spokane is an important reminder of the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the strength of the people who call Spokane home and an inspiration to all of us during times of adversity.

So all the beautiful brick buildings throughout downtown Spokane are thanks to the rebuilding of our downtown area.