George Frederick Morse (1834-1925) painted this scene of Congress Street during the Portland fire of 1866. Painted from memory, the ominous scene featured shadows and trees. Four Great Fire paintings by Morse are in the collections of Maine Historical Society.

Morse worked for the Portland Company for many years, first as a draftsman and later as the company's superintendent. Throughout his life, he maintained an active interest in arts and culture of Portland.