Rose Bros. Store, Corner of Cedar & Oak – Opened Nov. 1, 1900 and destroyed by fire, Jan. 5, 1903
Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, Jan. 9, 1903, page 1.
The Rose block, one of the largest buildings in the city was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour last Sunday morning, entailing a loss with the stock it contained, of nearly $60,000.
The fire, which without question had its inception from the furnace in the basement gained great headway before it was discovered, and on account of the tardy arrival of the fire department owing to the delay in securing a team to convey the fire apparatus to the fire, the building and contents were a mass of flame before much water was thrown and as a result not a dollar’s worth of property was saved.
Policeman Jachor was perhaps the first one to see the blaze. He was returning from the bridge when he noticed the reflection. He at once notified Engineer Brown of the fire department and the bell was rung. For some reason the bell failed to awake very many citizens. When Mr. Rose reached the scene he attempted to enter the building but was luckily halted, for the next instant the flames burst through the plate glass front and his life would have been the forfeit had he not been stopped.
The fire started in the rear of the building and must have been smoldering for hours for when it did break out it appeared to spread with surprising rapidity.
As is the usual custom on Saturday evenings the boy who attends the furnace filled it with wood so as to insure heat at a late hour the following morning. Mr. Rose left the store about ten o’clock on the evening in question and at that time everything was all right.
The heavy cast iron pillars that supported the trusses warped in such a manner as to displace them and as a result the building collapsed so that but very little of the wall remains.
For a time the C. L. Co.’s store and general office building was in grave danger. The intense heat cracked some of the panes of the building and burning embers were carried to the roof. The tug crew was called out and assisted in saving the company’s property.
The building was 60 x 125 feet in size and two stories high and was erected in 1900. The opening was held Nov. 1st of that year. No building in the city or in the peninsula was more conveniently arranged for business, and Manistique took pride in it.
Mr. Rose contemplates rebuilding as soon as possible in the spring and will be ready for business for the fall trade. He will erect a handsomer building than the one destroyed. The second story will be fitted up for lodge purposes.
Mr. Rose figures his loss will be $20,000 as he carried only $36,750 insurance on building, fixtures and stock. Of this he loses about $6,000 on the building and $14,000 on stock. The loss represents the savings of a lifetime and is a severe blow to him.
Rose Bros. came to Manistique about eleven years ago [1892] and located in the Coon Building on Oak Street. Their trade increased rapidly and in a few years their headquarters were utterly inadequate to care for their business and they erected a large one-story building next to the Barnes Hotel. Increased business compelled them to seek bigger quarters for the second time.
They purchased reality at the corner of Oak and Cedar streets two years ago and erected a magnificent two-story building thereon. The building in question was one of the largest and best arranged store buildings in the upper peninsula. Its convenience and size received favorable compliments from every stranger that visited Manistique.
Prior to the completion of the building the firm of Rose Bros. dissolved partnership, and Harry Rose continued the business, by mutual consent under the name of Rose Bros.
Mr. Rose, who by the way is one of Manistique’s best business men, sustained the reputation established by the firm in previous years for carrying an up to date stock, and at the time of the conflagration it may safely be said that few if any stores in the peninsula carried a larger, cleaner or more up to date stock.
Although he lost $20,000 more than his insurance he is not disheartened but will rebuild and continue in business. His loss represents the savings of a lifetime.
Mr. Rose has always been a firm believer in Manistique’s future. The fact that he expended $20,000, including furnishings, in erecting a new building, proved that, and that he began to plan for erecting another building, while the ruins were yet smoking, clinches it.
Mr. Rose has the sympathy of every one in his hour of adversity.