The Hill That Couldn't Be Saved: Fire Chief Pleads for Water on Seattle’s Steepest Slopes
In a stark report from June 1904, Chief Joshua Phillips warns that the city’s volunteer fire brigade is powerless against blazes in the steep upper districts, where gravity defeats their hoses and time kills buildings.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Chief Seattle Fire Department Report
To the Honorable City Council:
I respectfully submit the following report regarding the inadequate fire protection available to the inhabitants of the steep hillsides of this city.
First—The present system of water works is entirely insufficient for the upper levels. The city is building up rapidly on these high elevations, such as the corner of Columbia Street and Sixth Avenue, where the pressure is only 15 pounds per square inch. This is not sufficient to use without engines. It is all lost in gravity on any part of the hill anywhere in this vicinity, unless a separate system of hot water works were maintained in this part of the city, which would be absolutely out of the question on account of expense.
Second—At least thirty minutes after the alarm was sounded, the engines got to the Sixth Street School House. Had they been twenty minutes sooner, they might have saved a good portion of the building. Were Providence Hospital to catch on fire with our present facilities, we would be powerless either to rescue any unfortunate who might be in the upper stories, or to fight the fire with any hope of putting it out after it had gotten a start.
Third—In my opinion, horses should be provided for at least two engines. The city will have to depend in the future on the hills that are building up so rapidly at present. We have a very excellent fire company in Belltown who now down to all of our fires with eight or ten men and do splendid work. These men have to drag their heavy hose cart up the long hill between here and Belltown, which is a great deal to ask of paid firemen, much less volunteers.
Fourth—Until we have water pipes in that portion of the city, it will be impossible to afford any adequate fire protection to the inhabitants in that portion of the city.
The roof on Engine Company No. 1 house leaks and their meeting room is in a shabby condition. It would cost about $50 to fix it up.
I would also recommend the purchase of four 'spray pipes,' as they are of great advantage in fighting a fire in close quarters. I would also recommend that additional plugs be placed immediately on the corner of Front and Union streets, and one in the alley back of Front, between Spring and Pike streets, and one on the corner of Fifth and Spring streets, to protect Providence Hospital.
I respectfully submit these suggestions to the consideration of your honorable body.
JOSHUA PHILLIPS, Jr. Chief Seattle Fire Department
This 1904 plea for infrastructure highlights how Seattle’s defining geography—its steep hills—has always been a double-edged sword: a source of stunning views and real estate value, but also a logistical nightmare for public safety. The failure to adequately pressurize water lines in the upper districts then mirrors modern challenges in older cities where aging infrastructure struggles to meet the demands of dense, vertical development.
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