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Rare group of six vintage black-and-white photographic prints believed to document the November 9, 1908 fire at the Great Northern Hot Springs Hotel, later known as the Scenic Hot Springs Hotel, at Scenic, Washington.
The photographs form a remarkable sequence showing smoke and flames spreading through the large wooden hotel while people gather outside and apparently remove furniture, trunks, bedding and other belongings. The words “GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY HOTEL” are clearly visible across the central gable in several views. Railroad tracks appear directly in front of the property.
Scenic was a Great Northern Railway settlement on the western approach to Stevens Pass, approximately 7–10 miles east of Skykomish. The hotel stood beside the railway near Warm Springs Creek and the western portal area of the present Cascade Tunnel. Mineral water was piped approximately 1½ miles downhill from Scenic Hot Springs to the hotel’s bathing facilities.
Historical accounts report that the hotel burned on November 9, 1908. One guest reportedly suffered a broken shoulder after jumping from a second-story window, while proprietor J. V. Prosser was badly burned attempting to save valuables. A replacement hotel was completed in 1909.
The lot contains six physical photographic prints: five horizontal views and one vertical view. The backs appear blank, without photographer stamps, captions or handwritten identification. The precise date on which these particular prints were produced has not been established.
Condition includes light curling, handling wear, corner creases and small edge losses, including a clipped or damaged upper corner on one photograph. Please examine all individual images, the ruler photograph and the reverse-side photograph carefully.
Digital listing images are marked “Kitfield Collection.” The physical photographs themselves are not watermarked. The complete group will be securely packaged with rigid protection for shipment.
