The Great Fire

One hundred and sixty-seven years ago, the most destructive fire in the history of Owego, N.Y. occurred. Known as “The Great Fire,” it broke out at about three o’clock in the morning of Sept. 27, 1849. It started in the hall of the Sons of Temperance, over the store of James and William Ely on the south side of Front Street near the bridge. The fire might have been extinguished before it spread to other buildings, but the chief engineer insisted on switching from the first engine that sprayed water, to change to another engine; and in doing so, they had to halt spraying water until it was hooked to the second engine, causing the flames to get out of control.

The fire burned all of the buildings on both sides of Front Street, from Church to Park Street and all of the buildings on Lake, except for three and even part of the bridge crossing the Susquehanna River. A total of 104 buildings were lost, totaling $300,000. The sight of the ashes and rubble and the smell of burned merchandise must have made people cringe in fear of what to do next.

All of the buildings were made of wood, except for one that was erected in the early 1830s by Jonathan Platt and David Turner. It stood on the south side of Front Street in the business section, almost across from Church Street. When it was decided to use brick, people scoffed, saying it wouldn’t last because the foundation would crumble during the winter frosts. But it withstood all seasons until the fire, when the flames and heat were so intense it, too, came tumbling down.

As expected, a depression set in among the businessmen. Many insurance companies failed and although some goods were saved, many of the property owners suffered a total loss. Their thoughts were filled with worry. Those that could afford it opened on North Avenue or in other parts of the village. Perhaps others found miscellaneous jobs to support their families. One of the good things that occurred though, just three months before the fire was when the N. Y. and Erie Railroad reached Owego and was able to transport goods in and out of the village for rebuilding.

By the following year a group of prosperous men formed a stock company of $25,000 and decided a new hotel should be built on the northwest corner of Church and Front Streets. They figured it would bring in new businesses, tourists and salesmen. They began digging the cellar in March 1851 and the grand opening was held in April 1852.

The hotel was named the Ahwaga House, and was four stories high. It took up half a block on Front Street, and almost halfway down Church Street. People came from all over to stay there and especially for dinner and to attend various events. Other stores and shops opened soon after and although most of the new buildings replaced were made of brick, some were still rebuilt of wood, especially on Lake Street; but by the early half of the twentieth century, even the wooden ones were gone.