The Devastating Flames of Stittsville: Remembering the Great Fire of 1870

155 years ago, the village of Stittsville and its surrounding regions were engulfed in what became known as The Great Fire of Carleton County. This catastrophic event took place on August 17, 1870, following a prolonged dry spell that left the land yearning for moisture but vulnerable to an unstoppable blaze.

The Perfect Storm of Conditions

A tinder-dry spell, combined with wooden structures made mostly of fire-loving white cedar, created a set of circumstances where even a small spark could erupt into disaster. Thus, it was not long before a blaze broke out, allegedly from workers burning brush for the new Central Canada Railway line. According to Stittsville Central, the fire quickly surpassed all containment efforts accelerated by rising winds.

Tragic Tales and Heroic Escapes

The fire claimed both land and lives. Among its victims was Mrs. Patrick Hartin, a resolute Irish settler who died clasping a precious old clock by Poole Creek, and Robert Grant, a prosperous farmer. In his desperate attempt to salvage papers from his stone house, Robert was engulfed by flames. His family narrowly escaped, despite Mrs. Grant’s dress catching fire as they fled.

Unyielding Destruction

Throughout Stittsville, Huntley, and Nepean, the flames rampaged through farms and homes. The fire travelled at shocking speeds, fueled by winds that at times reached 100 miles per hour. Buildings crumbled, leaving nine out of ten dwellings in ruins. Yet, amidst the devastation, hope managed to flicker.

A Community Reborn

Though decimated, Stittsville residents exhibited resilience. In the aftermath, some villagers relocated closer to the new railway station, which promised economic opportunity and commercial revitalization. Meanwhile, others stayed to reconstruct on the same soil they had lived upon for generations.

Legacy of the Flames

The Great Fire reshaped the geography and community of Carleton County. Evidence of this fiery past is still visible, notably in the area along Highway 7 known as the “Burnt Lands.” Reminders of that fateful summer can be found in historical plaques and in the stories preserved by descendants of survivors.

A Symbol of Survival

While the fire wiped out countless buildings, its legacy lives on as a symbol of human resilience in the face of nature’s fury. It is not simply a memory but a shared story of overcoming impossible odds and emerging from the ashes, ready to rebuild.

Commemorating this poignant chapter of Canadian history helps to remind us not only of the destructive power of fire but also of the indomitable spirit that can rise above it.