The Greate Perry Fire of 1913
Going to the posted coordinates will bring you to the current Perry Area Fire Rescue. Here you'll find a memorial, a flag pole, and a brick pillar. You'll need to view these structures to fulfill this virtual cache!
The Perry Area Fire Rescue as it stands today.
Below you will find the story of the Greate Perry Fire (my source's spelling, not mine!), which destroyed much of the town in 1913, as documented via the city's official website. Images are courtesy of shiawasseehistory.com
Downtown Perry in 1912.
Sunday, July 6, 1913, was the most disastrous day for Perry. It was a hot summer day. At 2:30 a train on the Grand Trunk Railroad passed through Perry, and it was thought that sparks from the engine lit on the Starks and Company Elevator, as a small fire was discovered on that building a short time after the train passed. After the fire was first seen, an alarm was immediately given and Dr. Beardsley, President of the village, happened to be on Main Street and rang the fire bell. A few citizens hurried what fire fighting apparatus they had, and at the time the blaze was a small one. The hand pump failed to work, and ladders to reach the top of the building could not be found. It would have taken only a small amount of water to put out the blaze had they been able to reach the burning spot. But the fire fighters were helpless and with a thirty-mile an hour wind raging, the burning embers soon spread over the entire building.
Northeast Main Street before the fire.
As soon as it was seen that the elevator was doomed the men started in to try to save the nearby buildings, but their efforts were practically useless. The fierce velocity of the wind carried burning embers all over town dropping them on top and around different residences, church buildings and stores. Fires started all over the town. Those fighting the fire in the vicinity of the elevator soon saw that their homes and businesses were in danger and many left the scene to take care of respective places of business and homes.
The fire at this point could be likened to a roaring furnace and the wind seemed to blowing stronger and stronger. Before long the hotel barn and Walter Hough's blacksmith shop were ablaze. From there it spread to the homes of Walter Hough and H. Sparks. Next was the Barnes Hotel and on down the blocks of businesses.
The Lansing Fire Department was called about 3:00 and their fire engines cam on the M.U.T. Co. line. Soon Perry's big cisterns were all drained by the large pump. The Lansing firemen and pump were credited with saving what was left of the town.
The fire was finally brought under control about 6:45. Many buildings, homes, and businesses were destroyed, many had a close call and were saved for which everyone was thankful. People from Shaftsburg rural areas and many other places had done what they could to help. Some had insurance and others did not, something one must consider to protect one's property.
So Perry was recovering well from the disastrous fire and after two years the town was well on the way to becoming a bigger and better place. They had indeed made the slogan "Watch Perry Grow" come true. The new elevator building was much larger and better equipped. The Brown block had been rebuilt with modern up-to-date store buildings. Dr. H.P. Halsted had erected a fine brick building, modern in every respect. J.W. Hough had erected a modern blacksmith shop. The State Bank of Perry was completely repaired after being burned out on the inside.
After the fire in 1913, many new businesses came to town. One of the most successful of these was the Perry Opera House, which operated until 1921 when the building was sold for an automobile repair shop. The Liberty Theater also opened up in 1920.
As early as 1916 it was noted that many Lansing merchants advertised in our local newspaper. Among these were: Heath's Jewelry, H.B. Morgan Jewelry, VanDerVoorts, Mills Dry Goods and The Great Four Clothing Store, the latter advertising free railroad and traction fares paid to any buyers within 50 miles of Lansing. In 1920, W.J. Conklin was making and selling three varieties of Conklin's Hand Made Cigars in Perry and A.D. Barnes was producing his famous ice cream. Also in the 1920's, the Perry Real Estate was doing a great business as many new people came to the area. Auction sales became frequent and popular. Prominent local auctioneers were Bennitt & Ruppert. The census in Perry Village in 1920 was 734.
2017 PerryFest parade
Today's Downtown Perry
Though most of the businesses brought to the city after the fire are no longer in operation, Perry does have ever-evolving businesses and a tight knit community. The Perry Area Fire Rescue has a fleet of bright yellow vehicles and often host field trips and fundraisers. They also offer demonstrations to the community! We are very thankful for their service.
To complete this virtual cache, please message me with the following information to confirm that you did indeed visit this location:
- What year is presented on the stone pillar?
- What year is imprinted at the base of the flag pole?
- Include ONE name from the memorial found at ground zero.
Alternatively, you may forego submitting these responses by posting a photo with you and/or your GPS with the Perry Area Fire Rescue's sign pictured here:
Photos may be posted with your log, but please do NOT post any that give away any of the above information. Logs that do so will be deleted!
Finds logged without sending the above information will be deleted after one week. I will reply to your message if more information is needed to complete this virtual! I hope you enjoy this find!
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.