Wednesday, June 8, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: June 8

June 8, 1910 – Incendiaries are thought to have set fire to the new Oriental Hotel at White Bear Lake, which was totally destroyed this evening, entailing a loss estimated at about $50,000. Proprietor Henry Dierig said that he carried only $14,500 insurance on the place.

When the fire was first discovered by a passerby, the flames were already belching from the windows in different parts of the building, which makes the fire marshal believe it was started in several places at once.
James Flynn, the caretaker, was aroused by the crackling of flames barely in time to make his escape, half dressed. An impromptu fire brigade was organized, which fought the blaze until help arrived from St. Paul.

The Oriental had just been completed and is d=said to have been one of the most up-t0-date summer resort hotels in the Northwest. It was to have opened next Friday.

In former years the site of the Oriental was occupied by the Chateguay and later by the Wahbemaguay hotels, both of which were destroyed by fire said to have been caused by firebugs.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Oriental Hotel Burns; Incendiaries Blamed. Third Building on Same Site at White Bear Lake Destroyed by Fire. Estimated Loss of $50,000, With But $14,500 Insurance—Cottages Also Are Lost.”; June 9, 1910; p. 1.




Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain June 8, 2016,
as long as acknowledgement included.

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
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