1856, February 4th, Gage's Hotel Burned, Chicago.

Last night about two o'clock, a fire broke out in the wooded buildings on Dearborn Street, near Randolph Street, occupied by William Rideout & Co., as a Refrigerator and Patent Safe Depot. Although the firemen were promptly on the ground, the flames spread rapidly, consuming the adjoining building on the south, occupied by John B Ideson & Co. as a Poultry Market.

The corner building, occupied as a fruit store, next caught, the flames communicating to the adjoining buildings on the west, on Randolph Street, occupied by Jervine & Almini as a paint shop and Vinton & Co. as a dining saloon. The buildings were only partially destroyed, the roofs being burned, windows shattered, doors, etc., broken up. 

While this fire was under full headway, another alarm was given, which proceeded from the burning of the new brick restaurant and hotel near the new Illinois Central Passenger Depot. This building was only partially finished, the doors and windows being in, the studding up and floors laid. Workmen commenced plastering a few days since, and in order to keep the mortar from freezing, coal stoves had been put up, and hot fires kept up night and day. The watchman had filled the stoves on the main floor and gone upstairs to replenish those on the second floor when one of the lower stoves burst, scattering the burning coal in every direction.

A number of engines were immediately dispatched to the new scene of the conflagration, but owing to the intense cold and the great difficulty of procuring water, little could be done, and the hotel was soon a mass of flame. The entire interior was destroyed, and the walls were badly damaged. The loss to Mr. Gage is about $20,000. We did not learn that the building was insured. The night was bitterly cold, the mercury being some 20° F below zero, and the firemen suffered severely, a number having their hands, ears, and feet frozen.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.