The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 20, 1933, page 1
BUSINESS BLOCK IN GLENWOOD IS BURNED
An entire block of business houses in Glenwood was destroyed
by fire Tuesday night, according to reports which reached here yesterday.
It has been estimated that the damage will total about $15,000. It was reported
that the fire broke out in the garage and swept through all the buildings
in the block. These include the drugstore and theater belonging to Ben Hanson,
Oscar Bleiler's pool hall, Don Simpson's garage, a barber shop and the cheese
factory. It is believed that the fire was confined to this section and did
not reach William Weck's meat market in the next block, though definite details
were not obtained regarding this late yesterday.
C.H. Knosher had a brief telephone report from Glenwood
yesterday telling of the fire. The cause was unknown. J.A. Berney, of Sundale,
drove through Glenwood about 10 a.m. Wednesday morning in on his way to
Goldendale. He said that the entire block had been wiped out and was still
smoking as he passed through town.
There is no fire protection in Glenwood except that provided
by private wells and pumps, as there is no town water system.
The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 21, 1933, page 1
FLAMES WIPE OUT PART OF GLENWOOD
News reached Goldendale Wednesday morning that the business
district of Glenwood, in northwestern Klickitat, was destroyed by fire early
that morning. The damage was estimated at approximately $30,000.
The origin of the fire was undetermined but was thought
to have started from a lighted cigarette left in an old dance hall. Another
report states that it started in the garage. The flames spread rapidly and
before they could be brought under control had destroyed the drugstore, theater,
billiard parlor, barber shop, cheese factory and garage.
Jack Frost, who, with other residents assisted in combating
the blaze, was overcome by smoke. He was given first aid by a physician and
was not believed to be in serious condition. The fire broke out shortly after
1 A.M., and lasted for several hours.
Several parties from Goldendale left for the scene of
the fire during the day, among them being H.B. Carratt, Goldendale photographer.
As no adequate water supply firefighting was rendered difficult and Carratt
reported little left but ashes. Talk of rebuilding was heard, although the
amount of insurance carried was small.
The Hanson drugstore was insured with the Knosher agency
of Goldendale, for $7,000. The loss was estimated at 50 per cent. Mr. Knosher
spent Thursday at Glenwood estimating the loss.
The cheese factory had been buying 4000 pounds of milk
daily from dairymen of the region. According to reports the blaze started
while several residents of Glenwood were charivaring a young married couple.
Some celebrant, it was stated, tossed cigarette butts into an empty building,
which burst into flames.
The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 27, 1933, page 3
"Local News"
Further check on the fire at Glenwood last week which totally destroyed an entire business block, places the total loss at a higher figure than was first estimated. Estimated conservatively, it is believed that $20,000 would probably cover the loss. About 50 per cent coverage was provided by insurance. The fire was confined in the one business block and didn't reach Weck's store across the street intersection. Robert Parrott did some fine work with his pump and hose equipment and probably prevented a much greater loss from spreading fire. Since the fire broke out about 1 a.m. it was not discovered until it had gained such headway that it was impossible to save any of the buildings in the block. Investigation led to the theory that the blaze started in the back of an empty garage.
The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., August 18, 1933, page
10
"Late Local Intelligence Of Town And Country"
The little town of Glenwood, 30-odd miles northeast of White Salmon and almost as many miles from the nearest railroad, which was visited by fire several weeks ago is rapidly coming back to normal business. B.E. Hanson, druggist, whose business was wiped out by the fire, reports his new stucco building completed, and that he will open for business within a few days. Ernest Geiger, manager of the cheese factory, with new machinery and equipment installed in an old building, is producing the usual output. Oscar Bliler is again operating his pool hall in temporary quarters. This old village is the center of a vast dairy section.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer