Old World Building Fire, New York

Text on print: The New-York "World Building" Fire / Dedicated to Our Brave Firemen / Copyrighted [November 1883] and Published by Wm. Bruns, New York. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The old Potter Building erected in 1857 as Park Building, located at 37 Park Row, became known as "World Building" after the newspaper which had occupied the building from 1860 to 1881, when the building was considered to be a trap. The fire broke out on January 31st, 1882, burned down the building and damaged other buildings around it.

The building, which housed the headquarters of the Scientific American, New-York Observer, the Scottish American Journal, the Turf, Field & Farm and other office. The New York Times Building is on the left. It also housed the Forest Stream Rod & Gun, Leggo Bros & Co. (both publishing companies), the Philadelphia Times and other offices. The towers seen on the left at Beekman Street are those of Temple Court Building, still under construction. It was partially damaged by the fire.