A view of Main Street in Granite, Colorado, after the devastating fire of 1897. The Salida Mail reported on May 28, 1897: 'The fire broke out in what is known as the Granite house, and was caused, it is supposed, by a defective flue. This building is occupied by George Kipcel, who deals in groceries and merchandise, and is also used as a boarding house. After totally wiping out this building the flames swept down and took in and totally destroyed Blair & Bitzer's Saloon. The fire then scorched the new building owned by Baundecker and then swept across the street and burned to the ground the saloon of Mayerhoffer, Gunz, & Baundecker. From this building, the flames communicated to the Rio Grande depot, but before it had been damaged to any extent the fire was put out. Upstairs over the Blair & Bitzer Saloon was the Odd Fellows' hall. This was also destroyed, while quite a number of lodges in the building adjoining lost many of their belongings. Blair & Bitzer had no insurance. The other losers, however, were partially insured. Such work as was done by the people of Granite would make heroes and heroines of the participants in the city. The women were at the front and stayed there urging the men on and themselves wielding the ax or sledgehammer to break down fences or outbuildings, or carrying water from the Arkansas river to quench the flames. The women were in evidence everywhere, and noticeable among them were the two young lady daughters of George Morrison, who worked until both were overcome with heat and smoke, but when brought to consciousness they again took their places among the firefighters. Granite has suffered much from this fire, but not one of the losers will hesitate to rebuild, and with fireproof buildings.'
This image is from the Patricia Bradbury Holton Collection.
