1936 – the Crystal Palace is destroyed by fire.
On November 30, 1936, London’s famed, but deteriorating Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire.
Originally built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Palace was the world’s first pre-fab structure, built of cast iron and plate glass. Designer Joseph Paxton’s structure originally stood in Hyde Park. The 990,000 square foot x 128 foot high building was made of 293,000 panes of glass, 1,000 iron columns and 30 miles of guttering for a total of 4,000 tons of iron used. It took approx. 39 weeks to complete construction.
Designer Joseph Paxton’s initial sketch for the Great Exhibition Building, c. 1850, using pen and ink on blotting paper; Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum
When the exhibition closed, the Crystal Palace was dismantled and reassembled at Penge Peak near Sydenham Hill. With the move in 1852, came a number of changes. The rebuild incorporated Beaux Art design features in the glass and iron, and was 1,608 feet (490 m) feet in length and 384 feet (117 m) feet on completion. A reopening ceremony took place, presided over, once again by Queen Victoria.
A group of businessmen proposed that the Crystal Palace be relocated to Penge Place on Sydenham Hill, a suburban area in southeast London. The Illustrated London News reported that the Palace’s designer, Sir Joseph Paxton, described the location as ‘the most beautiful spot in the world for the Crystal Palace.’
The Life and Death of London’s Crystal Palace – The Historic England Blog
Queen Victoria in the centre of the royal party at the opening of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, on 10 June 1854. © Historic England Archive.
Although initially very popular, by 1890, the Palace had become rundown. Repairs were being neglected and the place was considered decidedly “down market”. Attempts to save the Palace and restore it to its former glory were undertaken and by 1920, things were improving. A small profit was seen as crowds began to return. The Crystal Palace once again became a popular outing for Londoners and tourists.
Crystal Palace after it was relocated to Sydenham, South London in 1852
Some time in the evening of November 30, 1936, a fire broke out in the women’s cloakroom. A small explosion was reported, with spreading rapidly. Despite the efforts of 2 employees to contain the fire, it soon raged out of control. Fire engines quickly arrived, and water was poured into the building. More and more fire companies were brought in until 89 fire engines were on scene, with over 400 firefighters desperately trying to stop the fire. Within hours of starting, one-hundred thousand people turned out to watch the building disappear beneath the flames. A combination of dried timber floors, high winds and the storage of flammable materials meant nothing could be done to save it. What caused the fire? It was never determined, but it was thought to be arson.
Crystal Palace on fire. The fire could be seen for miles.
A small fire grew into the biggest peace-time conflagration in London in the 20th century, laying waste to one of the marvels of the Victorian age.
The Life and Death of London’s Crystal Palace – The Historic England Blog
The Royal Mail issued 2 stamps commemorating the building, one in 1987 featuring the original design and the second showing the Sydenham rebuild in 2019.
Crystal Palace, ‘Monarch of the Glen’ and Grace Darling
Part of the 150th Anniversary of Queen Victoria’s Accession series
Issued by Royal Mail in 1987
Designed by Mike Dempsey
New Crystal Palace, Sydenham
Part of the Bicentenary of Birth of Queen Victoria (2019) series
Issued by Royal Mail in 2019
Designed by Webb and Webb Design.