100 years ago in North Idaho: Half of Harrison destroyed by fire; 400 homeless

Half of Harrison, Idaho, was wiped out by a massive fire.

“Nearly all of the business houses” and many of the residences were destroyed.

Early indications were that the fire was started by a spark from a switch engine which ignited a shed at the Grant Lumber Company. However, one of the owners of the company said he saw three “I.W.W. men” (Wobblies) leaving the scene in a hurry “without sending in an alarm.” The man who first saw the fire said he saw the flames coming from inside the shed, not outside where the switch engine had been.

Idaho’s governor said he believed the fire was started by the switch engine, but he was calling for an investigation.

In any case, Harrison was left in ashes. The fire swept up the hill, crossed the railroad tracks and consumed the business district. Churches, stores, lodge halls, workshops and a theater were destroyed. About 400 people were homeless. The town was left without any stock of groceries.

Aid was being sent by steamboat from Coeur d’Alene. The Idaho governor said he would send money, along with troops to guard the city from looters, if necessary.

The fire began in the morning and in less than three hours, 11 city blocks were reduced to “red-baked earth and crumbled bricks.” About 17 families “took up abode in the schoolhouse,” which was spared from the fire.