1890 – fire destroys east wing interior of University College – photo by F W Micklethwaite
Toronto. In issue 17-2 Bob Wilson featured a local disaster in his “Image of the Month” column. In 1890, the east wing of University College on the U of T campus was ravaged internally by fire, a definite threat back in the days of exposed flames. The photograph was taken by a famous Toronto photographer, Frank Micklethwaite.
Bob writes a portion of his story as, “On the evening of February 14, 1890, a college servant dropped a tray of lighted kerosene lamps. The fire quickly spread through the dry wooden interior and destroyed the entire east wing of the building. But, as was reported in 1891, ‘luckily its outer walls, and particularly its noble front, were saved from destruction’.
“The loss included the College library and its 33,000 books. The building was soon reconstructed using funds from provincial and private sources and it is still in use today.
“After the fire, many Toronto citizens would have come to observe the ruins. Some of them can be seen in this photograph of the building taken on the day after the fire. The photographer on the scene that day was F. W. Micklethwaite.”
Bob continues this story addressing a brief history of the dashing photographer. Members in 1991 read Bob’s story in a printed copy of the journal. Newer members read the pdf file for issue 17-2 on the ‘members only’ DVD. Not yet a member? Tsk, tsk. It is easy and inexpensive to join: See the info above under ‘MEMBERSHIP’ or at right under ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ Questions? Send Lilianne an email at member@phsc.ca.
