Posted 10:26 pm Thursday, November 29, 2012
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Fire society selling limited prints of infamous Tyler blazes
Staff Reports
A spectacular blaze in 1903 and Tyler firefighters in the 1890s are subjects of prints being sold by the East Texas Historical Fire Society.
The limited-edition color prints by artist Ed Williams sell for $30 each. The fire society will use money raised to preserve antique firefighting equipment, member David Crim said. The group hopes one day to establish a fire museum in Tyler.
The prints are numbered, signed and come with a certificate of authenticity and additional information about the scene depicted, Crim said.
To purchase a print, contact Crim at 903-561-0655.
One print depicts the old Fruit Palace fully engulfed in flames in what was described as one of the most spectacular fires of its time.
In December 1903, the Fruit Palace was a large, two-story building at Front and Vine streets that housed Tyler College, including living spaces for about 100 students and faculty. The fire broke out early on the morning of Dec. 13 on the building’s second floor.
The limited-edition color prints by artist Ed Williams sell for $30 each. The fire society will use money raised to preserve antique firefighting equipment, member David Crim said. The group hopes one day to establish a fire museum in Tyler.
The prints are numbered, signed and come with a certificate of authenticity and additional information about the scene depicted, Crim said.
To purchase a print, contact Crim at 903-561-0655.
One print depicts the old Fruit Palace fully engulfed in flames in what was described as one of the most spectacular fires of its time.
In December 1903, the Fruit Palace was a large, two-story building at Front and Vine streets that housed Tyler College, including living spaces for about 100 students and faculty. The fire broke out early on the morning of Dec. 13 on the building’s second floor.
Strong winds caused the flames to spread quickly, and the structure was soon engulfed as those inside ran for their lives. Flames were reported leaping 75 to 100 feet into the air as a large crowd gathered outside.
The other print, “Sounding the Alarm,” depicts a fireman ringing the bell in the cupola atop the Smith County Courthouse in Tyler, circa 1892.
In the print, volunteers, responding to the community distress signal, begin arriving in their horses and buggies to receive instruction on where to go.
The prints are part of the society’s efforts to preserve and share Tyler’s firefighting history.
The other print, “Sounding the Alarm,” depicts a fireman ringing the bell in the cupola atop the Smith County Courthouse in Tyler, circa 1892.
In the print, volunteers, responding to the community distress signal, begin arriving in their horses and buggies to receive instruction on where to go.
The prints are part of the society’s efforts to preserve and share Tyler’s firefighting history.
