Final answer:
The cell block likely served as a detention area or prison where individuals were incarcerated. In another context, structures such as the Colored-Orphan Asylum housed orphans before burning down. A treasury is also mentioned, which implies the storage of valuables, and these incidents brought about stricter building codes for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell block mentioned was likely used for incarceration, as suggested by the context provided, where it refers to 'a big cabin, high up on a cliff' with a person being locked up there at times and having 'dogs and pets I had tamed, and books.' This implies it was some sort of prison or detention area. In another context, 'rolling a barrel of kerosene in it', a structure mentioned seems to be the Colored-Orphan Asylum, which was targeted by a mob, somehow indicating the use for housing orphans before it tragically burned down. Additional context about building materials, such as brick and steel, suggests that this incident led to advancements in building codes and construction practices to prevent future disasters.
Another snippet hints at a treasury, stating that 'this was a storehouse. It was the treasury and so we have to imagine that it was absolutely full of valuable stuff.' Therefore, the cell block or building in question could have multiple historical contexts, such as a location for imprisonment, a safe place for orphans, or a treasury for storing valuables. The loss of these buildings in fires evidently had significant impact, leading to improvements in safety and construction.
The various contexts provided indicate that the structures had significant importance in their respective times, whether to protect the society's valuable assets or its vulnerable populations, such as orphans.