The Great Boston Fire of 1872 and the Construction of Historical Memory

Abstract

In November 1872, a fire devastated sixty-five acres of Boston’s commercial district. Much of the existing scholarship has perpetuated a false narrative that the disaster was an unlikely event, a “perfect storm” that overcame supposedly fireproof buildings. This article challenges that view by re-examining primary sources, including fire insurance records, investigative reports, and newspaper accounts. It traces the popular incorrect narrative back to the immediate aftermath of the fire, showing how this historical myth has influenced historiographical interpretations of the fire for over 150 years. Using this case study, the article illustrates how historical memory is actively constructed and may be influenced more strongly by beliefs about the past than by historical fact. Ultimately, this work provides a new lens for understanding not just Boston’s past, but also the broader processes of urban disaster and recovery and the complex nature of historical memory.