The Fire of 1901

The Fire of 1901. Versailles, Ohio. , Versailles Fire, Saturday, July 6, 1901 , It was a lazy Saturday afternoon. The town was still celebrations ever when the complacency was shattered by shouts of "Fire" from the west edge of town. It was 1:00 p.m., The flames first were spotted coming from the cupola of the abandoned Sheffel mill, a three-story frame structure on the west edge of the business district. Fanned by a 30 mile an hour west wind, they raged out of control for nearly four hours. When the smoke cleared, six business blocks and 38 homes were gone. The cause of the fire was never determined. There were no fatalities but many injuries were reported., At the time it was reported the fire would no doubt ruin the village for many years to come. Many who suffered losses did not have insurance., It seemed strange to many that such a calamity should come immediately after recent improvements by the village. Just two days prior, the village had celebrated the opening of a new electric light and water works plant, as part of their Fourth of July festivities., The Rebuilding of Versailles , Business seemed crushed, but not so the spirit of the people. Many of the burned out property owners immediately expressed their intention to rebuild. And rebuild they did! They began at once to erect more modern structures than those which had been consumed and particular attention was given to fireproofing the new structures., In the weeks following the fire, many businessmen found temporary quarters and relocated their businesses to await the completion of new construction. Some operated their businesses from their homes., April 1902 , Less than a year after the fire, newspaper headlines proclaimed: "The New Versailles!" Phoenix-like From the Ashes of the Old, Has Arisen a New City.