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Post by ruby on Jul 11, 2008 8:34:35 GMT -6
Noticed the sign in front of the firestation a few days ago said today is the 50Th Anniversary of the biggest fire in Streator's History. Where was it?
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Post by Job on Jul 11, 2008 9:01:13 GMT -6
Williams Hardware Store.
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Post by John on Jul 12, 2008 7:08:01 GMT -6
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Post by Job on Jul 12, 2008 7:29:56 GMT -6
50 years ago this month was the big flood. Westgate Plaza was under water. Williams Hardware blew up and burned and the roof collapsed on the old Armory building downtown at the corner of Main & Bloomington. I saw the Armory collapse. At the time, I did not know that it was the "old armory." I seem to recall that it was early evening, around 6:00 pm. I was crossing the street with one of my buddies by the Garfield School en route to a movie. There was a car parked on Bloomington that was crushed like a tin car. Luckily, no one was in the car.
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Post by BlueStar7 on Jul 12, 2008 8:20:10 GMT -6
WOW! They say trouble comes in threes. I didn't realize all these things happened in the same month.
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MnM
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Jul 22, 2008 16:20:40 GMT -6
50 years ago this month was the big flood. July 1958 Williams Hardware blew up and burned. John........ are these copies of my dads pictures of this event? Because they sure do look awful familiar to me ?? Kay
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Post by HistoryMajor on Oct 24, 2008 11:42:38 GMT -6
Still looking for old photos. Thanks History ajor
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Post by Stephanie on Oct 24, 2008 14:22:47 GMT -6
I must have missed something. Hope you don't leave the forum History Major. Even though you don't post much, I've always enjoyed the posts you have made.
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Post by Job on Oct 24, 2008 19:31:00 GMT -6
I must have missed something. Hope you don't leave the forum History Major. Even though you don't post much, I've always enjoyed the posts you have made. I thought that it was just me, but I confess to complete bewildermint as to the somewhat belated departure of History Major. I say "belated" because old History Major has not posted here since last March.
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Post by Stephanie on Oct 26, 2008 13:15:34 GMT -6
Guess HM decided not to leave as his original unedited post said. I must have missed something again.
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MnM
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by MnM on Nov 14, 2008 3:26:56 GMT -6
Hmmm granted yes I am also guilty of being MIA.... but if someone posts that they want or request pictures and people such as us are willing to then provide them............... YES.............. bewilders me then too........... in DD's infamous tisk............ ppppfffffffffffffttttttttt!!!!!!!!! M
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Post by DumDave on Nov 17, 2008 14:03:55 GMT -6
I'm thinkin that the Vermillion Arcade is where the car dealership was. Also it loked like Ruth's restaurant is where the Country Kitchen is now. I saw the fire first hand. My Dad work in the Murray Bldg. next door, Mom jumped in to the car with we three squids to check it out. He was gone & I remember seeing flames shooting out the top of the Williams Hardware Bldg. One thing. I never remembered going in there..... -dd
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Post by BlueStar7 on Nov 17, 2008 19:47:59 GMT -6
Hey, DD ... look at the 1st and 4th pics of the W.H. Fire. The 1st. bldg. is W.H. then the alley then a 2 story building (now the banks drive-thru & Parking lot) The 3rd bldg. is the car dealership (now the travel agency) then Dell's the Vermillion Arcade is south of Dell's.
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Post by John on Nov 18, 2008 6:13:02 GMT -6
The Vermillion Arcade is north of Shaw Appliance (formerly known as Dell's Appliance). It is in the old car dealership building.
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Post by bluejay201 on Nov 18, 2008 20:32:37 GMT -6
Dell's, now Shaw's...wasn't that Solon's funeral home. I think the building was org. designed to be a funeral chapel. The room in the back had a drain in the center of the floor. Kubick(sp?) had a TV repair shop in that room in the 1950-60s. County Cupboard was Ruth's Rest. in the 1960s, then Betty's Rest. Aunt Betty kept the sign "Ruth's" for some time before she changed it. Joanie
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