1853, February 16th, the United States Hotel at Randolph & Canal Streets Fire, Chicago.

A Destructive Fire on Wednesday, February 16 night, at about twelve o'clock, the United States Hotel building on the corner of West Randolph and Canal Streets, took fire and was entirely consumed, together with all the out buildingsNorth on Canal Street, to the extensive Plow and Wagon Factory of A. Pierce, and on the East, all the buildings except two on the corner of Water and Randolph Streets. The fire was first discovered in a small tobacco and cigar shop adjoining the Hotel and had made such headway at the time that the whole block of buildings was in flames before the alarm could be given and the engines got upon the ground. There was a fresh breeze blowing from the West at the time, which swept the flames through the dry wooden tenements with great rapidity.

In the stable and yard of the U.S. Hotel, nine horses—belonging to farmers—were burned, together with a wagon and load of wheat.

The Hotel was owned by the estate of the late John Murphy and the Hon. Hugh T. Dickey and was occupied by Mr. D.L. Roberts. It was one of the oldest public houses in Chicago.

Besides the Hotel, there were three small stores and dwellings east of the Hotel, and beyond the alley, a blacksmith shop totally consumed, and another small house nearly so. A portion of lumber in the back part of the premises was partially consumed.

The clerk of the Hotel had his mouth and throat severely burned by a spark of fire. On several occasions, the firemen experienced narrow escapes—one, especially, caused a general shriek, and was as near as possible, causing the instant death of a man directing the hose. 

He was considerably elevated on a ladder in front of the mouse when a large and heavy parapet with a tremendous crash fell directly across him when, however, within a few feet of his head, one end shunted off and just escaped his head. The night was bitter cold, from which the firemen seemed to suffer much. If the wind had blown from the north, nothing could have saved the buildings on the South side of Randolph Street.

The Hotel and buildings were insured for $5,000, which was should think will not be much under the worth of the property. Mr. Roberts was insured for $1,900, and Mr. Davis' fruit and toy store for $500. Most of the furniture was removed.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.