Alpena Business District Devastated
On April 9, 1871, the city of Alpena experienced one of its most destructive disasters. A massive fire that consumed much of its business district. The fire started at the Guild and Clewey’s billiard saloon on the north shore of the Thunder Bay River. It quickly spread to Fletcher Street and down to 2nd Avenue. The result was the loss of several commercial buildings. The Star Hotel, Evergreen Hall, and Bolton and McRae’s store were total losses.
At the time, Alpena was a growing community that had just incorporated as a city less than two weeks earlier, on March 29, 1871. Despite the vibrant nature of the area, the city was unprepared for a disaster of this scale. Without a fire department or fire engine, volunteers scrambled to salvage goods and protect what they could from the spreading flames. However, much of the damage was irreversible, and the loss was devastating to both businesses and residents alike. More than 100 people were left homeless, and key public spaces, such as Evergreen Hall, were destroyed, leaving the city without a central place for entertainment and gatherings.
Establishing the Fire Department
The fire’s aftermath spurred the establishment of the Alpena Fire Department. By May 1871, the city had purchased its first fire truck, named Sog-on-e-qua-do, to better protect the city in the future. Though this tragic event was a turning point, it wasn’t the last of Alpena’s fire woes. Just a year later, another devastating fire in 1872 destroyed 75 businesses and residences, showing that the city’s recovery would be long and difficult.
The Great Fire of 1871
This fire in Alpena was part of a larger pattern of devastating fires that swept through the Midwest during the same period. In 1871 alone, the Great Chicago Fire left much of the city in ruins. Fires ravaged other cities like Manistee, Michigan, and parts of Wisconsin. Many of these fires were fueled by dry conditions, strong winds, and the prevalence of wooden buildings. All of which made them incredibly difficult to control. Alpena’s fire, like these others, highlighted the urgent need for better fire prevention and response systems. These fires sparked changes in how cities across the region prepared for and responded to these catastrophic events.
While the city’s skyline changed dramatically after these fires, Alpena’s resilience shone through. The city rebuilt and became better prepared for future disasters. The lessons learned from these events shaped Alpena’s development into the vibrant community it is today.
