Hamilton, Mo – In August 1965, five buildings were destroyed and one man seriously burned, in an early morning fire that caused $100,000-150,000 in damages.
The firefighting efforts, caused the town’s 50,000-gallon water tower to run dry and the fireman were forced to pump water from the swimming pool, six blocks away.
The fire began in an apartment over the Dean Barnard tavern. Lloyd Bennet, who lived in the apartment, jumped onto the porch roof and then to the ground. He suffered burns over 30 percent of his body.
A resident across the street from the scene said she was awakened by a man shouting for help. She looked out the window of her apartment and saw Bennett leaning out of a window with heavy rolling black smoke.
The two-story brick buildings destroyed were the Dean Barnard Tavern, Western Auto Store, Uptown Pool Hall, Ben Franklin Variety Store, and a vacant building.
Left: Vacant building owned by Morris & Lester Bram
Center: Western Auto store operated by Russell Bretz
Right: Barnard Tavern where the fire originally broke out in an apartment above
Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune 1965-08-23
Protective fire wall separates the Ben Franklin store (the lighter building) and the Curtis Café (darker building).
The café suffered smoke and water damage and the five other 2-story brick buildings that were located to the left of the café were destroyed.
Dirt Road History 