In the hundred years after the Conquest, several parts of Montreal were destroyed by large fires. They were frequent occurrences in pre-industrial cities and almost uncontrollable, especially when, as in the case of Montreal, most structures were of wood. The last and most serious fire in Montreal occurred in 1852. It destroyed 1,200 houses and left nearly 9,000 people - approximately one-sixth of the population homeless. This oil painting by James Duncan (1806-1881) records the destruction on Dalhousie Square. The large, four-storey building is Hayes House. Built by Moses Judah Hayes (1799-1861) it served at various times as a hotel, theatre and, for a brief period following the 1849 fire, temporary quarters for Parliament.
