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On November 28 1942, a huge fire
occurred at the
Cocoanut Grove Nightclub in Boston. 492 people perished in
total. The Cocoanut Grove fire is the 3rd worst fire in American history in
terms of loss of life, with the 1871 Peshtigo fire (Wisconsin) and 1903
Iroquois Theater fire (Chicago), being more lethal. The fire at the Cocoanut
Grove spread in minutes, with many people asphyxiated in their seats while
eating dinner.
The primary intent of this article
is to emphasize the need for a greater memorial to the victims of the
Cocoanut Grove tragedy. There is but a small tablet embedded in the brick
sidewalk at the site of the fire—placed by local private citizens—and such a
tragedy should be memorialized more adequately. Many of the victims of the
fire were service people supporting our effort in World War II, and we
should not forget those who lost their lives that evening.
My thoughts of a more significant
memorial are that of an art deco eagle opposite an art deco angel, both
ascending from the flames. Rising with unrelenting determination (eagle),
and with an expression of stern conviction (angel). The eagle represents
Individual or Country, and the angel represents God or Heaven for those with
religious convictions. The work should be in bronze. Art deco eagles exist
on many U.S. coins, and the statue can be based on another work to reduce
its cost.
Do noble spirits still remain at the
site of the Cocoanut Grove fire? This author feels great sorrow when
approaching the site at Church and Piedmont Streets. My thoughts are always
"492 people died here, and only a tiny plaque memorializes the victims." The
only odd sensation I have at the site is at the base of the garage at
Shawmut & Piedmont Streets. On three occasions I have felt "lost" for a
moment; a strong sensation similar to that of making a wrong turn while
driving. I believe this sensation is because part of Shawmut Street used to
be a narrow lane that went to Stuart Street, and I ponder if the nightclub
building was located where the garage now stands (east of the memorial
embedded in the sidewalk). |
