Photograph by Bob Battis
The Elliott Chambers Fire Memorial Foundation:
The Elliott Chambers Fire Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to memorialize the victims of the historic fire that took the lives of 15 people on July 4, 1984. The foundation was formed in 2009. The memorial was dedicated on July 1, 2010 before a crowd of 100 people which included families, friends & community leaders.
The foundation was formed in 2009 by 3 Beverly residents,
Amanda Mazzaglia,
Amanda Mazzaglia
Then City Councilor
John Burke,
John J. Burke
And
Documentary Filmmaker
James Maroney.
James Maroney shooting the demolition of the Elliott Chambers building in June of 2009.
photo by Ian Hurley
Wicked Local
On Monday, March 2, 2009, the Beverly Planning Board voted 7-0 to approve construction of a 13,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy with a drive-through pharmacy. The CVS officially opened in February of 2010.
Image courtesy of Kevin Paton of BKS Architects, Inc.
The Memorial:
Mazzaglia, Burke and Maroney asked the Beverly Planning Board to include space for a natural stone memorial and bronze plaque with the names of the 15 people who lost their lives in the fire. The approved plan allows for the memorial within a 30-square-foot section at the corner of Elliott and Rantoul Street. Two benches are along side the memorial.
Tom "Satch" Kerans performing his original song, Elliott 15
photo by Michael Naimo
Satch has recorded original music that will be
featured in the upcoming documentary.
Included are songs such as Sweet Little Ralph, Elliot 15, and (Dry Your Eyes) It's The Fourth of July.
The bronze plaque on a blue stone was dedicated on
November 17, 2011
in memory of Ralph Nickerson who attended the Fairview Elementary School in Auburn, Maine. Ralph a fourth grade student died in the Elliott Chambers fire at the age of 9 when he was visiting his
beloved grandmother Hattie Whary for the 4th of July holiday in 1984.
Hattie and Ralph's brother Rick Nickerson also perished in the fire. The community of Auburn now has a place to remember Ralph with a memorial placed under a beautiful cherry tree at the entrance of the school.
The Documentary:
"Fire at Davis Drug"
Remembering the
Elliott Chambers Fire
July 4, 1984
Film Premiere 2021
Emmy-Award winning Photographer James Maroney is producing a documentary honoring the memory of those who perished in the fire. The documentary will be released in 2021. Stay tuned for premiere at a local theater on the North Shore of Boston.
James Maroney Filmmaker
Remembering the Elliott Chambers Fire documentary will include interviews with firefighters, community leaders, survivors, witnesses, family members, and friends.
To contribute photographs, video, or testimony to this effort, please see the "contribute" page.
photo by Bob Battis
Maureen Troubetaris former Beverly City Councilor
placing one of 15 roses
(in memory of the victims)
Elliott Chambers Memorial dedication on July 1, 2010.
photo by Michael Naimo
photo by Michael Naimo