The properties destroyed were: Joe ….

The properties destroyed were: Joe Bauernfeind’s residence, Sauter’s Bowling Alley, Paulson’s Garage, Kronschnable home, post office and sheds, Homsted drug store, and barn. Fuchsgruber store and barn, Holtz Bros., Gen. Merchandise Store; Holtz residence; Oberbilling residence; Dr. Foley’s office; Weekly Clarion office; John Schafer barn; and an ice house. The estimated loss totaled $150,000, which equates to $2,647,500 in today’s dollars.

According to Dorchester historian Jim Jantsch, before the fire was extinguished in the early morning, 15 buildings on South Front Street and West First Avenue, plus a barn west of the alley in the back of the old American Legion Clubhouse, were destroyed by the devastating fire. Fortunately, no lives were lost despite the terrible destruction.

The citizens of Dorchester rebuilt Front Street, and according to Jim Jantsch, approximately fifty percent of the new buildings were made with bricks. There were many fires in Dorchester before and after 1923, but none were as destructive as “The Big Fire” of May 1, 1923.