Odds and Ends From The MUSEUM!
By Trudy Wyman, Curator, Millinocket Society Museum
Nov. 13, 1921, this headline appeared in the Bangor newspaper, “Sunday Night’s Fire One of the Most Spectacular in Town’s History! The reference is to the destruction of the Millinocket High School and Common School located on the corner of Katahdin Avenue and Central Street. Following are quotes and details from that article.
“As recorded briefly in a telephone report, Millinocket on Sunday night was the scene of one the most spectacular fires in its history. Shortly after 11 o’clock at night, flames were observed in the lower portion of the great four-storied structure on Katahdin Avenue. The alarm rung in was promptly responded to by the fire department and in spite of the handicap of snow on the road the chemical engine made a quick run. But even in the short space of time that elapsed between the giving of the alarm and the arrival of the firemen, the flames had made terribly rapid progress and the chief finding the whole of the building practically involved sent out several more alarms.”
The article continues stating the fire quickly spread to the upper floors and after a “few seconds the roof was alight both back and front.” The light “illuminated all portions of town and the scene was magnificent if awesome as the huge burning pile threw up a great sheaf of flame.” Embers scattered all over town. Homes, the Congregational Church and other structures nearby were covered with “a confetti shower of fire.” These other structures were saved due to “the moist snow of the last few days had wetted down the roofs.”
“Even with the whole of the Millinocket fire-fighting force on the scene, it was impossible to make any impression on the conflagration and room after room fell in flaming ruin and finally the building lay flat though for hours water was pumped on the burning embers. The streets, yards of the houses and every available space not too near to the scorching flames was filled with anxious onlookers.” The article mentions the looks on the faces of students, especially those of the senior class who watched “the records of their work go up in flames.” This was the only school many had known.
Parents, students, teachers and townspeople were all thankful that the fire had occurred at night. It would have been “doubtful if the enormous number of young people could all have escaped safely.”
The article mentions Principal Monahan and his leadership of a “very fine school.” A large group of 40 students were scheduled to graduate in June, 1922. The unnamed reporter stated, “The blow falls heaviest on Principal Monahan and the senior class. It is easier to arrange for the carrying on of studies of the grades and accommodate the pupils than for the complicated work of the advanced students.” The article mentions not only the need to find space for educating the many students going forward but to but to “replace expensive textbooks and other outfits.”
At that time, the new Stearns High School building plans were well underway, but that building would not open until September of 1923. The two elementary schools (Oxford Street School and Aroostook Avenue School) were crowded with the younger students. Placement and education of older students became a challenge. The Armory would be used as the high school and the 7th & 8th graders would be schooled at Oxford Street and Aroostook Avenue schools. All building ran double sessions until Stearns HS opened in the fall of 1923.
Komentarze