Category Archives: The Great Fire of 1866

In Focus. Charles Quincy Clapp. Part 1. Early Works

When the term ‘architects of Portland Maine’ comes up, a couple of names normally spring to mind. John Calvin Stevens is the most obvious and perhaps Francis Fassett. Beyond that, only the cognoscenti would be able to suggest any others. Which is a shame as the pool of talent was deep. Hopefully, in the coming months, I can do a little to rectify that.

Charles Quincy Clapp ca: 1863

Charles Quincy Clapp ca: 1863

Continue reading

The Great Fire. A well done piece by the Portland Press Herald.

A pretty well done special presentation by the PPH on the Great Fire of 1866.

The Great Fire of 1866

The attribution of the origin of the fire to kids playing with firecrackers is not supported by historical informatíon. It is at best apocryphal and, in my opinion, is pure anti-irish just as blaming Chicago’s fire of 1871 on Mrs O’Leary’s cow was.