10/11/2026
Published 103 years ago today
From the Waukesha Freeman, October 11th 1923
"Hardware Store, Hotel and Blacksmith Shop are Razed by Flames Friday Evening
Bucket Brigade Fights Flames Until Waukesha and Delafield Departments Arrive—Loss is Estimated Between $35,000 and $40,000—No One Injured
Waukesha county suffered one of the largest fire losses in years, when the hardware store of William Brooks, hotel and store of Otto Falk, and the blacksmith shop of R. J. Lohda, at Wales, were completely destroyed in a fire which broke out in the hardware storage room at 10:30 Friday evening.
Garages and other property in close proximity to the burning buildings were in great danger, but were saved through the heroic efforts of the bucket brigade, formed by local residents, and the Waukesha and Delafield fire departments, which arrived about twenty minutes after the conflagration was sighted.
Flames Spread Rapidly
Beginning in the storage room of the hardware store, which was about fifteen feet distant from the hardware building proper, the flames made rapid headway, consuming considerable twine and wood before it was discovered. When first sighted, simultaneously, by two women from their upstairs bedroom and by Mrs. Falk, wife of the hotel proprietor, the hardware store was a seething, fiery mass, and the flames had already begun to envelop the blacksmith shop nearby.
A general alarm was given to the people of the village and the telephone exchange operator notified residents for miles around. Hundreds gathered from all parts of the county including many from Waukesha and by means of a bucket brigade kept the garage from being consumed although little could be done to the buildings already on fire.
By the time the Delafield and Waukesha departments had arrived the hotel was in flames, and could not be saved. Attention of the firemen was turned to the grain elevator near the depot, already receiving sparks which settled down from the flames rising high in the air unaided by winds.
Stock was Saved
Fortunately most of the stock in the hardware store was saved and all of the hotel furniture and equipment.
The loss to Mr. Falk, proprietor of the hotel, is total The insurance had elapsed some time ago and had not been renewed. It is doubtful, according to residents, if Mr. Falk will reconstruct a new building. The Hardware store and blacksmith shop carried insurance and the loss sustained by the owners of these two buildings is not so great.
Just recently Mr. Brooks had remodeled the upper story of the building to be used as a living quarters, but it had not been occupied. The bank, postoffice, general store and other business property of the village lies on the north side of the track and is a considerable distance from the buildings consumed. At no time were they in danger, although a heavy wind might have increased the loss.
Origin Not Known
Wales, a village of 250, has been contemplating purchasing a chemical apparatus, said one of the villagers today, but had been putting the matter off from time to time. With the exception of water and buckets to carry it in, the residents were practically helpless and could make no impression on the fire already blazing in the three buildings.
Mr. Brown, is is stated, will rebuild immediately and a new blacksmith shop wil also be erected. The origin of the fire is not known and according to Mr. Brooks no one, to his knowledge, had entered the store room since 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Chief Wild Says Loss Will Total Over $40,000
That the fire loss will total more than $40,000 is the opinion of Fire Chief Peter Wild today, who has been in communication with the owners of the destroyed buildings. The loss sustained by Brown is $15,000; Falk suffered a $20,000 loss and Lohda's loss is between $6,000 and $8,000, sald Chief Wild."
Source: newspapers .com via Waukesha Public Library
