On November 2, 1852, Sacramento’s great fire, known as the Great Conflagration, burned more than 80 percent of the structures in the city. The fire started at the millinery shop (hat shop) belonging to Madame Lanos on J Street between 3rd and 4th Streets at around 11:00pm. At the time, most of the structures Sacramento were made of canvas and wood, which led to the fire spreading very easily. High winds that evening helped spread the flames as well. It was estimated that the total damages from the fire was around 6 million dollars and the Daily Alta California newspaper in San Francisco reported that 2,500 buildings were destroyed. The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper, which was able to resume publication on November 4th with the one hand press that was saved from their printing office, reported that none of the city north of I Street and also the buildings east of 9th Street were destroyed. Within a month, 761 structures were re-built, many of them out of bricks. Many buildings we...