February 11, 1891 Fire Destroys Gambee Hotel

The December 30, 1880, fire destroyed much of Main Street in an overnight blaze. Eleven years later, in February 1891, Farmer Village had settled into the many new brick buildings which fronted on Main Street following that fire. The headlines from the February 14, 1891, Farmer Review sums up the situation following the hue and cry of “Fire” from the previous Tuesday evening [February 11].

The fire, discovered about 7:15 in the evening, first appeared on the roof of the Gambee House. The newspaper report notes that “Farmer Hall was nearly full of men awaiting election returns, and they were soon on the scene, some attempting to stay the flames, others removing property to a place of safety.” The article goes on to describe the fury of the fire, the attempts made by many people to both control the fire and the methods used to prevent other buildings from burning.

Within 30 minutes of being discovered, “the house was a fire from cellar up and had communicated to Dr. A.M. Mann’s wooden block on the south…nearly all the contents of this building were carried out.” Four businesses were housed in that wooden block building: George Mosher’s harness shop, J.D. Wiggins’ jewelry store, M. Chandler’s paint shop and W. L. Witt’s blacksmith shop.

The next building south was W. E. Peterson’s residence. The volunteers covered the north side of the house with carpets and hoped the space between the Mann block and the house would help stop the fire. It was a hard-fought battle, and at one time appeared lost. Several men “stuck to the peak and fought for all they were worth and gained control again, saving not only the house but the rest of the buildings.” When the damage amounts were tallied it was noted that Mr. “Peterson’s damage is fully covered by insurance. The adjusters were here yesterday and settled with him.”

As shown in the picture taken the day after, carpets were also used to save the buildings on the North side of the hotel. “While all the hard work was going on south, the men on the north had their hands full to save Collver’s barber shop and hotel barn.”

Aftermath of the American House/Gambee Hotel Fire. Looking west toward Main Street.
The building behind the group and chimney is today the Hinman Memorial Library.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #144

An on-going debate prior to this 1891 fire was the need for a fire department and firefighting equipment. The second paragraph of the article makes the only reference to this lack, but it makes the point, loud and clear “Had there been even an apology for a fire engine there isn’t a question but the flames could have been extinguished here.” The new fire department was organized and equipped within weeks of the Gambee House fire. And that organization made the difference in both 1916 and 1939. [See April 16 for the 1916 Weager Warehouse Fire]

Forty-eight years later, on February 16, 1939, the story was quite different, although the fire destroyed the M. S. Wiggins building. The following report is taken from the Interlaken Review February 24, 1939.

“M.S. Wiggins’ Building Nearly Ruined by Fire.” This fire “broke out shortly after four o’clock last Thursday afternoon, February 16.” The blaze, at the Wiggins store and gas station, [formerly the Hotel Robinson] started near the boiler in the basement and spread so rapidly that the building, an old landmark, seemed doomed. The three-story structure was filled with smoke and no attempt could be made to remove anything from the first-floor business places or the living quarters on the second floor.” The residences on the second floor were empty, and Dr. Thompson left his second-floor dental offices through the front window to the porch and down a ladder to Main Street.

The Hotel Robinson being torn down in the days after the fire.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #1922

Mutual aid from Trumansburg and Ovid fire companies arrived and at one time seven streams of water were being poured into the building. The fire was the first real test of the village water system, and “unquestionably, without an unlimited supply of water the building would have burned to the ground and adjoining structures probably would have been destroyed.” The fire fighters were hampered therefore not by a lack of water, but by the cold weather. “…ice forming on ladders, making climbing very hazardous. The roof, covered with snow and ice, helped to keep the flames in, but also made treacherous footing for firemen working there.” 

Snow on the surrounding areas is visible in the picture above taken the day after from the Saddlery building across the street.

      

Two photos of the fire trucks lined up on Main Street during the fire
Interlaken Historical Society collection.

Dr. Thompson in front of  M. Wiggins new gas station, built on the site of the former Hotel Robinson.
Interlaken Historical Society Photo #1505

The Gambee House was rebuilt on the site, and operated as the Goodman House until it too was torn down in 1986, which, of course will be its own Snippet from the Past, June 23^rd.

Dewitt’s Diary February 11, 1926

The road is badly filled up with snow. 

The weather is down to about zero for the last few days. 

Blowing and snowing from the north today.

Dewitt would record the February 16^th fire on Friday, February 17, 1939: Cold and west wind today, the roads drifting some. The old hotel used by M. Wiggins was gutted by fire.