Chronology of Sullivan Fires
April, 1885 -Fires destroyed the Masonic building, corner of Main and Washington, and so quickly that the records of the lodge on the third floor could not be saved. The town was still without fire protection. The loss was between $30,000 and $40,000, the Times office, the American House, and the Calvin Taylor Law Library being among the list of damage and ruin.
September 12, 1886 -Livery stables of Lucas, Russell & Joyce, at rear of brick building on the north side of the square, burned. Other attempts to start fires indicated incendiarism.
October 1, 1886 -Burning of two frame buildings at the south end of the west side of the square causes talk of establishment of fire zone.
October 29, 1886 -Fire destroyed Johnson's Photo Gallery on north side of square.
October 31, 1886 -Crowder's hay press and a barn at rear of buildings on the west side of the square burned.
January 11, 1887 -South side corner of Court and Jackson Streets ruined by fire.
July 5, 1887 -Planing Mill of Hoke & Co., burned; loss $7,000 to $10,000.
December 14, 1889 -Bauer & Son's flouring mill, near depot, burned, total loss being $18,000 to $20,000.
September 25, 1891 -In early morning fire broke out in Leach warehouse, near E. & T. H. depot, extended across right of way to freight depot, north to warehouse owned by P. R. Jenkins and Miss Jennie Thornhill, south to the Snow warehouse and two box cars burned. Total loss about $20,000, with only $3,000 insurance.
February 10, 1892 -Sawmill of Mahley and Co. burned, after being in operation two years.
February 26, 1892 -Stivers and Bland pork packing house burned, at a loss of several thousand dollars.
August 12, 1892 -The Sullivan Expert Fire Company disbands after seven years existence. the members have always responded promptly to fire arms, even going beyond the city limits. Dissatisfaction because of failure to remit their taxes as provided by law.
November 23, 1899 -Jacob Mahley's sawmill burned; total loss, $10,000.
October 21, 1906 -National Bank building damaged by fire to extent of several thousand dollars.
August 13, 1908 -The McCammon Hotel, on the corner of Washington and State, gutted by a fire that burned for four hours, leaving all of third and most of second and first stories in ruins. Loss on building $12,000; to the proprietor, Mrs. Hinkle, $4,000.
September 9, 1908 -Fire of unknown origin, beginning in the livery barn of J. Ed. Blume, on South Main Street, destroyed the livery stable; loss $2,000, insurance $2,000. The Colonnade Theater, loss $14,000, insurance, $8,000; Baptist parsonage, loses $2,200, insurance, $1,600; J. B. Mullane's hardware and furniture store, loss, $4,600, covered by insurance; F. M. Douthiff clothing store, loss $8,000, insurance $4,000; Central store, loss $4,000, covered by insurance. Total amount of property destroyed was about $40,000. The severe drouth of this season and limited water supply accounts for the destructiveness of this fire.
January 31, 1909 -Fire starts in Herman Schmidt & Co.'s hardware store from stove or crossed wires. The water plugs were frozen, much time lost in getting them to work, and a strong northeast wind carried the fire on until property to the value of more than one hudnred and fifty thousand dollars was consumed. The detail loss was: J. B. Mullane, $30,000 stock, $15,000 building; Central Store Co., $25,000 stock; Ben Davis and Joe K. Smock, $12,000 building; F. M. Douthitt, $16,000; C. H. Edwards, building, $5,000; Herman Schmidt, $8,000 stock; Ella Dix, $4,000; Herschel Ford, $4,000 stock, building owned by local company, loss $4,000; Leonard & Goodman, $4,000 stock, $4,000 buildings; Reed and Batey, $4,000 stock; Dale and Son, $2,000 stock; Sullivan Light & Heat Co., $4,500 fixtures and equipments. Insurance carried amount to be about $52,000.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 182-184.