The red sandstone courthouse is seen engulfed in flames in the early morning hours of March 10, 1974. Marcus Bosanic Collection.
For over 70 years, the stately red sandstone courthouse stood at the center of Manistique’s courthouse square. The picturesque structure was erected in 1903 to replace the wood frame courthouse that burned to the ground in March of 1901, after only 16 years of service. The cost for construction of the sandstone building was $36,767 and was officially accepted for use by the county on July 11, 1902. At the time of the fire, the courthouse was insured for $222,000.
The 1974 fire broke out late on a Saturday evening and was first reported at 11:05 pm. When firemen inspected the building and reached the third floor, they found a wall in the northeast corner of the building burned and flames were seen shooting from under the roof. Almost immediately thereafter, heavy smoke drove the firemen from the scene. The cause of the blaze was never determined.