The fire that destroyed a building in downtown De Pere came nearly 137 years to the day of a larger fire.
Local historian and business owner Joe Seroogy says the former building that stood there burned down in 1882. He says it part of a massive fire that took out about 35 buildings and businesses on both sides of two blocks along South Broadway. He says there were some hotels, stores, and doctors offices. Seroogy says it wiped out two city blocks.
Seroogy says the replacement buildings were made of stone and brick to prevent another large fire.
The one that was destroyed yesterday at the corner of South Broadway and George streets was originally the Burnett Hardware Store. It then became Schumerth’s furniture store and the company expanded the building. Seroogy says Schumerth’s closed in the 1960s.
