In the spring of 1899, Kenmare was a bustling settlement. Homesteaders were putting down roots in the area and opening businesses in town. The town square was already well-defined and was a hub of activity. It’s no secret that pioneering required a courageous spirit, unbreakable resilience, and strong determination. This was tested in the late evening hours of May 21.

The dark, quiet night was interrupted by panicked shouts of “fire! fire!”, a desperate cry that echoed through the streets and woke the people of Kenmare. When the residents arrived at the town square, they found a raging fire between the Benson Hotel and The Kenmare News, a sight that historically left destruction in pioneer towns. The downtown square in Kenmare was not an exception.

Residents showed their bravery by evacuating the buildings, including the hotel. John Showers, one of the men that alerted the town of the fire raced through the building, sounding the alarm and ensuring the lodgers were awake and exiting the threatened building. When the sun rose the next day, many businesses had been destroyed, including the John A. Englund building, which housed the Kenmare News, lodge rooms for the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as Englund’s own farming implement and harness business. The Joseph D. Benson Hotel was reduced to ash. Percy Cole’s general merchandise store was the next to fall. Johnson’s general store, Thomas Tasker & Company building, Michael O’Hara’s Livery, and Charley Meyer’s blacksmith shop were also in ruins. In a few short hours, the west side of the square had been completely ravaged by fire, a devastating blow to the young community.

Thankfully, for Kenmare, the pioneering spirit prevailed, and even though the majority of the businesses lacked insurance, some rebuilt, this time opting for brick buildings. The cause of the fire was unknown, though rumors spread and accusations of arson were made.