Photograph was edited for publication purposes.; Title supplied by cataloger. The fire at Ocean Park Pier in the early morning hours of January 6, 1924 was believed to have started in the Ritz Cafe kitchen. The fire broke out shortly after 9:00 am and before it was brought under control five hours later, the great funnel of flame and smoke had threatened time and again to spread to the business and residential areas of the beach city. Luckily the Dome Theater's concrete structure at the northeast corner of the pier contained the fire and prevented it from leaping across Ocean Front Walk. Nearly 100,000 spectators watched as ten fire companies fought the blaze. When it was over, the losses were enormous, estimated anywhere from $1,000,000 to $3,500,000, with only $100,000 insured. Both the Dome and Rosemary Theaters were destroyed along with all the pier's rides and attractions. The Dome Theater was valued at $500,000; the Rosemary Theater, valued at $250,000; the entire Lick Pier, valued at $1,000,000; the Bon Ton Ballroom, constructed at a cost of $200,000, and the Fraser Pier, known as Fraser Amusement Pier, were all razed. In addition to the larger buildings, the many numerous concessions operated by private individuals and worth more than $750,000, fanned by a vigorous southwest wind, were razed by the conflagration. The large municipal auditorium building, constructed at a cost of $350,000 was partially destroyed. No one was seriously hurt, but there were several minor casualties. In 1912 the same region was swept by fire and a loss estimated at several thousands of dollars sustained. Three years prior to this fire, the Venice amusement zone was razed by fire in a similar manner and the entire pier valued at $1,500,000 was completely destroyed. View of the destruction caused by a fire at Ocean Park Pier in the early morning hours of January 6, 1924. The Ritz Cafe, where the fire is speculated to have started, is visible mid-photo.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;13 x 17 cm. on board 14 x 18 cm. Photographic prints
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