Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Manassas 1905 - The Great Fire
Courage & Determination Save Town
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 19, 2009
1. Manassas 1905 - The Great Fire Marker
During the cold winter night of December 5, 1905, a smoldering fire began in Blossom's Alley across the tracks from the train depot. It soon raged through the young town of Manassas, destroying 35 homes, the post office, and business bordered by Main, Center, and Battle Streets and the railroad tracks. Standing shoulder to shoulder, men, women, and children of all ages passed buckets of water and wet blankets down Center street to extinguish the fire.
Local lore tells that brickmaker Donation Libeau climbed the roof of the People's National Bank to douse sparks, and saved that building from destruction. Out of this tragedy emerged a story of courage and hope, as residents who fought the blaze would soon rebuild their town.
Erected 2009 by City of Manassas, Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, City of Manassas series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1770.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 44.988′ N, 77° 28.271′ W. Marker was in Manassas, Virginia. It was
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Burning of Manassas (here, next to this marker); Wartime Manassas (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Our Story Continues
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 19, 2009
2. Manassas 1905 - The Great Fire Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Our Story Continues (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); War on the Landscape (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Manassas Museum (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Manassas (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Original Marker. This marker replaced an older marker titled Burning of Manassas. (Submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,287 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
