Friday, August 16, 2013

On this Date in Minnesota History: August 16

August 16, 1884 - “A horrible fire swept through Anoka [Minn., on this date]. A total of 86 buildings were destroyed by the fire. A loss of more than $646,000 in property was reported at the time; an extremely huge sum in 1884. The fire broke out in a skating rink behind the post office. A breeze quickly spread the flames to other businesses and the entire block was on fire by the time firemen arrived on the scene. The fire continued to spread across streets, catching more and more buildings on fire. Restaurants, stores, the high school, residences, a bank, an opera house, a stable, a blacksmith shop, an engine house, the local jail and a few mills were among the buildings destroyed in the fire. Luckily nobody was killed in the fire and injuries were minimal. The Jackson Hotel [now Billy’s Bar and Grill] (as well as another hotel) were also severely damaged by the fire.”

http://www.thecabinet.com/darkdestinations/location.php?sub_id=dark_destinations&letter=b&location_id=billys_bar_and_grill_anoka_mn




Jackson Hotel (now Billy's Bar and Grill), Anoka, Minn.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Dec. 8, 2012,
 as long as acknowledgement included.
 



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