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Photos  This picture of Windsor was taken in 1896, a year before the fire. 
This picture was taken from the same spot late on the day of the fire. History The fire started on the waterfront at about 2:30 AM on Sunday 17th of October 1897. The fire was held in check until about 4:00 AM when a gale came up and within minutes the fire spread throughout the town of Windsor. By nightfall very little of the town remained. The fire was fought by crews from Windsor, Hantsport, and Halifax. An area of about 6 blocks square was totally destroyed including 4 churches, the entire commercial district, the waterfront, and hundreds of homes. Homes left standing were opened to the homeless as were the Railway Station, Drillio's Barn and the Sail Loft. Canvas tents were set up on the slopes of Fort Edward and at Kings College School to house the nearly 300 men, women and children who didn't find shelter elsewhere. Soldiers were brought in to control the looting and to protect the relief supplies that were pouring in from across the province and Canada. Damage was estimated at $2 million at a time when a good wage was $10 a week. |
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