Fire!! St. Louis and the Great Fire of 1849

What began as a beautiful spring day in May 1849 quickly turned into one of the most devastating nights in St. Louis' history. By dawn, much of the city lay in ruins, engulfed by flames that forever changed its landscape.

Step back in time as Barnes Bradshaw, portraying a St. Louis citizen of the era, brings the Great Fire of 1849 to life. Dressed in period attire, Barnes will guide us through the dramatic events of that fateful night—exploring the fire’s causes, its far-reaching impact, and the courageous efforts of the volunteer firemen who risked everything to save their city.

Hear the story of a tragic yet heroic act that ultimately spared St. Louis from total destruction in this vivid retelling of a pivotal moment in our city's past.

About the Speaker:

Barnes Bradshaw is a native St. Louisan who took the long road to his B.A. in History going to eight years of night school over a 10 year period. He started doing first person portrayals of early Americans 30 years ago. The people he portrays are generally those whom he considers the proverbial "everyman." He likes to presents these characters because he feels strongly that the folks we read about in our history books, the "famous" people, only got there through the wondrous efforts, the blood, sweat and tears, of countless people who are not recognized in that same way.

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