Many descriptions of the Great Gratz Fire of November 4, 1924, have been published – including the accounts of newspapers of the local area and region and summaries of the fire written specially for local histories.
It is believed that the fire began behind the Union House on the southeast corner of Center Street and Market Street. When it was finally extinguished, it appeared to have taken out half of the main square of the town – at least ten buildings burned to the ground!
The account that follows here was written by Frieda [Willier] Koppenhaver and Emma [Willier] Wolfe Lykens Township residents who witnessed the fire.
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The Jacob Willier‘s family was fast asleep at one o’clock in the morning, when the next neighbor, Allen Daniel came by tooting his horn and yelling “Fire.” We were all aroused from our solid sleep and went outside to see where the fire might be. We saw the red flames in the area of Gratz, and in seconds we were in the car and off to investigate.
By the time we got there, the hotel and livery stable was in flames. Sparks were flying in all directions, starting fires in barns as well as Smith’s Restaurant, Hall and living quarters.
The hotel was soon in ashes, also Smiths, and in short order the barns were on fire.
The fire companies from other towns came and pumped water from wells, but it was not enough. The Harrisburg Fire Company was called, but before they got here the wind calmed down and the fire stopped spreading.
I am sure many a short prayer was offered, the wind became calm, and the prayers were answered.
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From Memories, Volume 2, Gratz Historical Society, 1987.
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