The Great Fire of 1923

By Bear Wheeler

February 18, 1923, was one of the longest days in Elcho’s history.  A fire started in the drug store which was on the other side of CW Fish’s office building.  The drug store housed the heating plant to service the drug store and Fish’s office.  The fire spread quickly because of a northwest wind which blew the fire to the bank (which was the first Modern Woodmen of America Hall), to the Muskie Inn, the general store and then across the street taking out the depot.  Everyone escaped unharmed.  A couple of weeks later, CW Fish secured the funding to rebuild the entire business district.  In September 1923, the business district reopened.  This was quite an achievement.

The Muskie Inn, the State Bank (formerly Woodmen Hall), then the drug store,  Fish’s office is next to the drug store

On the left is Weaver’s Boarding House (now Boiling Springs on Hwy G), the General Store and the Muskie Inn

The Elcho train depot

We will be celebrating the centennial of the reopening of the business district on September 1, 2023. Please come and join us from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the brat barn.