Souvenir Book of the Great Chelsea Fire April 12, 1908 Containing Thirty-Four Views of the Burned District and Prominent Buildings

"Souvenir Book of the Great Chelsea Fire April 12, 1908" by Anonymous is a remembrance of a terrible fire that burned through Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1908, capturing the disastrous event and the recovery that followed. The book paints a picture of the destruction, focusing on the countless buildings that were lost and the help that came from everywhere to aid those who lost all they had. It tells the story of how, on April 12, 1908, a fire started at a factory and quickly grew out of control because of strong winds, destroying many buildings and leaving thousands of people without homes. Important places like schools, churches, and banks crumbled to ash, leaving around 1,500 properties that were destroyed. After everything had cooled down, money poured in from many cities and towns, adding up to a great amount of assistance to help the citizens get back on their feet. Accompanied by thirty-four photographs, the book shows the ruins and the kindness of the organizations that came to help; the photos help illustrate the strength of the community as they fought back against tragedy.