G. H. Hammond Packing Plant now in ruins

Those were the shouts just before 6 p.m. -- On Wednesday October 23rd, 1901. This horrific fire, is probably among one the most top ten historical events in the city during the twentieth century. The fire spread rapidly consuming most of the facility, even some of the newer structures that were supposedly "fireproof", rebuilt after the last fire at the plant twelve years ago. The source of the fire was reported to be crossed electrical wires.

Flames continued to burn throughout the night, despite the collective efforts of the Hammond, West Hammond, South Chicago and the Hammond Packing Plant's own fire department. As winds fanned the fires and blew burning embers, to nearby houses, making residents fearful of losing their own homes. However no residences were lost in the fire. Damage to the structures and their contents was estimated in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000.

The plant was never rebuilt, devastating the city's economy and putting over a 1,000 people out of work. This of course was disastrous to the young city of Hammond, since the packing plant was the only major employer in town. Over time the city did recover, as other industries moved in, to fill the void left by the shuttered packing facility.

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Above photos from the archives of the Hammond Historical Society -- Calumet Room of the Hammond Public Library.
Source information from the Hammond Historical Society.
Twentieth Century Time Capsule © 1999 HammondIndiana.com

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