Historically speaking
Recalling the Sellwood Block
ISHPEMING — The Sellwood Block was located at the corner of Main and Canda streets, where J&N Electric is now. It was built in 1873 and owned then by Joseph Sellwood.
The first floor, as usual, was devoted to retail establishments, housing Sellwood Drygoods Store, Tillson’s Drug Store and for many years the Ishpeming Post Office. The Carpenter-Cook company had its headquarters there as well.
The second floor was the home of the Ishpeming Business College for years and eventually became the clubhouse for the Elks.
“The Sellwood block, landmark at the corer of Main and Canda streets, was gutted by fire this morning, (the 23rd) causing damage estimated at between $45,000 and $50,000 to the building and the stock and fixtures of Tillson’s drug store, Carl’s Log Cabin, the Elks club and plumbing equipment owned by Clifford Warner. It was the worst fire in this city since the burning of the Dundon block about three years ago.
Firemen started fighting the blaze in a 14-below zero temperature and were able to save the Anderson and Heayn hotels, the former adjoining the Sellwood block on the north and the latter on the west. Both hotels were threatened by flames, but the fact that only a light breeze was blowing from the northwest prevented the fire from spreading. It was feared that if the hotels caught fire the entire block would be destroyed.” (Mining Journal, January 24, 1935)
“When the fire started the fire truck was at the home of H.A. Adamson, North Sixth street, where a chimney blaze was being extinguished. Horse driven equipment was pressed into service while the truck was being recalled from Sixth street. City snow shoveling crews laid down their tools to help battle the blaze and the Ishpeming fire department was augmented a short time later by a pumper from Negaunee.
Firemen said the interior of the building was enveloped in smoke when they arrived, and they had difficulty in locating the flames. The smoke was so thick firemen had to use gas masks in order to enter the building.
Ted Pier, night watchman at the Elks club made his escape from the top floor of the building by a ladder and lost all his personal belongings. He was awakened with difficulty.” (Mining Journal, January 24, 1935)
“For considerable time few flames were visible as billows of smoke rolled out of the building. The rear wall was the first to collapse and luckily it fell to the east. Had the wall caved towards the west it would have fallen against the Heayn hotel, which is separated from the Sellwood block by a small driveway.” (Mining Journal, January 24, 1935)
“This afternoon only one wall of the structure was standing and smoke continued to pour from the ruins. Only part of the damage was discovered by insurance.
The fire was discovered about 7:30 near the furnace in the basement of the building and its origin is undetermined. Some persons were inclined to believe it was caused by defective wiring, while others said it was caused by a boiler explosion. The boiler was inspected yesterday, however, and plumbers said it was unlikely that it exploded.” (Mining Journal, January 24, 1935)
One of the reasons there was only partial coverage by insurance due to the cost. The building was brick veneered over wood, which meant that although it was more fire resistant than plain wood, it was still flammable, and the risk of fire was high. The building was also old.
Carl’s Log Cabin was a tavern, and the interior of the establishment was built of cedar and hemlock logs sprayed with varnish. Once the fire struck that part of the building, it spread rapidly.
“The intense cold made the task of fighting the blaze extremely difficult. The mercury was about 14 degrees below zero when the fire broke out and was near the zero mark this afternoon. Several persons among the hundreds who were gathered to witness the blaze were frostbitten.” (Mining Journal, January 24, 1935)
In the aftermath of the fire the Elks moved to new quarters in the Denn building, south Main St. Tillson’s Drug Store was looking for a suitable space but the rest of the businesses simply closed up shop.