On a windy April day in Western Pennsylvania, after weeks of drought, a fire swept across what is now downtown Pittsburgh. Twenty blocks of the most valuable part of the city, covering fifty-six acres, were destroyed. Between one thousand and twelve hundred houses and warehouses were damaged, and 982 buildings were completely destroyed.

On the now the site of Tower 260, The Hilton Garden Inn and Revel sat The Bank of Pittsburgh, an imposing stone building thought to be the only fireproof building in Pittsburgh. As the fire approached, a bank cashier locked all the cash, books, and papers in the vault and joined other nebby Pittsburghers outside. Many of them gathered to see if the massive stone building would withstand the fiery onslaught. Although the building stood its ground, it was gutted. It’s stout exterior was one of few buildings that remained in the Pittsburgh skyline the following day.

More than two thousand families were left homeless following the great fire and were forced to seek aid. That aid was swift, immediate, and helped contribute to Pittsburgh’s quick and noticeable rebuilding in the following months. Memories of the great fire have faded over time, but the hospitality showed by fellow Pittsburghers that fateful April day has remained.