File:Men posing in front of tent near Jacob Furth home, 1889 (MOHAI 9550).jpg

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the City. In this image men pose in front of a tent set up after the fire during regrading operations, in which streets were raised up to 22 feet in places, helping to level the hilly city. The house on the right edge of the frame belonged to Jacob Furth and was located at 402 Ninth Avenue, near the present day site of Harborview Hospital. Jacob Furth (1840-1914) was a key developer of Seattle's public transportation and electric power infrastructure, as well as the founder of Puget Sound National Bank of Seattle. He was known to put the city before his own business interests, loaning money to those in need during the crisis of the Great Fire of 1889 and at other times.

Caption information source: https://www.Seattle.gov/cityarchives/exhibits-and-education/digital-document-libraries/the-great-Seattle-fire-of-1889 Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, June 3, 1914, page 1

• Subjects (LCTGM): Mansions--Washington (State)--Seattle; Residential streets--Washington (State)--Seattle; Tents--Washington (State)--Seattle