The 1874 Cedar Brake Fire

Note: article originally written for the Northwest Austin Civic Association (NWACA) newsletter 

An on-going concern for many neighborhoods, especially in the hills and canyonlands, is that of wild-fire. It isn't a new concern. An article from the Austin Statesman in 1874 reported the status of "The Cedar Brake Fire" on the west side of the Colorado River (Lake Austin) near Mt. Bonnell and the mouth of Bull Creek. (Austin American-Statesman, Wed, Sep 2, 1874)

From the article:

The Cedar Brake Fire.

The fire in the cedar brakes seems to be continuing its ravages, with no immediate prospect of abatement. Judge Dye, who arrived from his home near Mount Bonnell yesterday, says that Mr. Warren and Mr. Griffin report that the fire has already destroyed the valuable brakes of Mr. Moore, Mr. Swancourt and others, and that the flames have reached within a mile and a half of the mouth of Bull Creek, on the west side of the river, and it is apprehended that the brake of Dr. Phillips will next fall prey to this ravaging fire, as also the brakes of Mr. Hancock and Mr. Whitis, though a large number of men are now engaged in giving battle to the tie and fuel destroyer... Perhaps the fire may continue till a rain comes, unless the wind should so change as to drive the flames back upon the burnt district.

Though not specified, the "Mr. Hancock" is likely John Hancock (1824–1893). Hancock was a prominent judge who served in the Texas legislature as a Unionist in 1860 before the Civil War, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1866 in Austin after the war to rewrite the Texas Constitution to meet U.S. requirements for readmission to the Union, then served two terms in Congress. Among property he owned was that near the mouth of Bull Creek.

The article continues with an update:

"Since writing the above... [reports are that] the ravages of the fire are simply terrific, many head of cattle and large numbers of small animals having perished in the rapidly traveling flames, which go roaring and snapping through the brakes with lightning speed and terrific fury, the sights of which must be seen to be appreciated. Much of the country that now lies a black smoldering waste had not been scarred by the woodman's hand [i.e. cedar chopping], and had not the flames swept over it would have yielded thousands of dollars... The loss by this fire is estimated by some to be at least two hundred thousand dollars, and by others at least double that amount."

That's roughly $7 to $14 million in today's dollars, but considering that population and housing density today far exceeds that of 1874 and you can see that the impact to life and property would likely be considerably higher today. One has only to look at wildfires across the US to see things could be much, much worse, with deaths in the hundreds and costs measured in the billions rather than millions.