Reconstruction
of the "Burnt District" in downtown Boston began very
soon after the fire. On the left is construction
of new buildings directly next to the Rialto Building and the Post
Office on Milk Street in 1885.
Boston's
architectural statements became even more ambitious in the wake
of the fire. To the left is the Equitable Life Insurance office building
on Milk Street ca. 1885.
To the right is an 1897 photo
of retired Boston Fire Chief John Damrell who managed the effort
to control the fire of 1872.