On June 6, 1900 an early morning fire started at Dave Stark’s blacksmith shop on the southeast corner of Main and S. Roop Streets. Within two hours some forty structures from Roop to South Union Street were destroyed in the blaze. The only building remained standing was Alexander & Knoch’s store, constructed of native stone, though it did sustain damage.

While this fire became the catalyst to incorporate Susanville, many resorted to the old wooden frame building practices of the past. The above photograph is a perfect example. What is interesting with this photograph you will notice the vacant lot between the Cohn Bros. and the Pioneer. It should be noted that the Pioneer used the lot for a beer garden, until O.M. Doyle constructed a two-story stone building that eventually became home of the Grand Cafe. The building to the right to the Pioneer, which was Alexander & Knoch’s store, though the store front has been modified is home to Margie’s Book Nook. 

In 1902, Susanville passed Ordinance No. 17 which prohibited wooden frame buildings in the heart of the town’s business district. All future materials, would be brick, native stone or cement. Roofs were required to be metal, slate or tile.

Support