On this date in 1922, a fire broke out in downtown Fargo that caused an estimated $160,000 in damages. Flames started in a store room of the Harrington Hardware Store, and spread quickly to other buildings on the Tyler Block.

Fire Departments from Fargo and Moorhead battled the blaze for over three hours before extinguishing the flames. The aftermath left only a brick skeleton of several downtown buildings.
One of buildings badly burned was the Fargo National Bank. Over $12,000 in fire damages was reported.

The ironic twist to this story was a meeting that the bank officials had the day before the fire. E.J. Welser, the bank’s president had included in his meeting agenda to have the building’s wiring checked.

He was concerned that the wiring might be a fire hazard. The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Friday Evening, October 20, 1922. pg. 2.

By Dave Seifert

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