Center City in Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The 1894 King-Quale Elevator Fire
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021
1. The 1894 King-Quale Elevator Fire Marker
On the night of January 3, 1894, Toledo's largest fire broke out in the massive King-Quale grain elevator. A westward wind from the Maumee River drove flames toward the center of Toledo's business district. The blaze destroyed several buildings including the Chamber of Commerce and the West and Truax building. Despite the best efforts of city firefighters using horse-drawn steam pumpers, the fire continued until a serendipitous shift in the winds allowed the firefighters to contain the conflagration.
The Toledo Fire Department's Captain James Fraser died fighting the fire. Fraser was among Toledo's many Irish settlers, arriving in the city in 1850 at the age of 14. He served his adoptive homeland as a soldier in the 130th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and became a Toledo firefighter in 1872. Captain Fraser was last seen entering the burning elevator at the intersection of Water and Madison streets. Despite many days of sifting through the ashes and debris, his body was never found.
Erected 2012 by The Tracy Family and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 61-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection
this page online
Location. 41° 39.01′ N, 83° 31.963′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is in Center City. Marker is at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Water Street, on the right when traveling east on Madison Avenue. The marker is at the north entrance to Promenade Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Water Street, Toledo OH 43604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Original Site of Toledo's Oldest Black Institution / Warren African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boundary Between Rival Pioneer Villages (approx. ¼ mile away); The Blade (approx. 0.3 miles away); Toledo (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lucas County Catholic War Veterans Memorial Flagpole (approx. 0.4 miles away); Project Blue Light (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ontario Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.
Also see . . . Toledo Firefighter Captain James Fraser. Excerpt:
After his death, Captain Jim's legacy of service and devotion was carried on by subsequent generations.(Submitted on May 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021
2. The 1894 King-Quale Elevator Fire Marker reverse
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021
3. The 1894 King-Quale Elevator Fire Marker
Promenade Park and the Maumee River are in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on January 30, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
