The Rialto Bldg. 9th St. and Grand

The Rialto building, located at 9th St. and Grand Ave., was best known as home to more than 100 medical professional offices after its opening in 1887. However, more than 10 years later, the building made headlines for a less-than-savory reason. On December 24, 1909, a small fire started in the building’s basement , going unnoticed for almost three hours as it raged through the building. Thanks to the quick actions of the building’s janitor, J.W. Johnson (who first noticed the fire and acted as a fire-alarm, running to each of the five floors yelling), everyone made it out alive. Sadly, the building hadn’t the same luck. Three large gas explosions halted the fire department’s chances of extinguishing the blaze. The Rialto building was a fire trap with its brick exterior, blocking attempts to get water to the flames feeding on simple wood interior. It was impossible for the fire department to save the Rialto. After the fire finally dissipated, there was nothing left but the ice-crusted outer brick walls.