Waverly Hotel Fire

January 19, 1943 – Waverly Hotel Fire – the Waverly Hotel was located on the Southeast corner of Main Street and 1^st Avenue. The hotel was four stories high and was a landmark in the city. The Waverly Hotel was built by Peter Ehr in 1905. He was a resident on the top floor of the hotel but was carried to safety by firemen.  The night of the fire the temperatures were around 30 degrees below zero. . Reports stated that the water was freezing as it was sprayed on the fire. 91 one people were staying at the Waverly the night of the fire. Four lives were lost and the bodies remained frozen in the debris until spring thaw. Pictured below are the Waverly Hotel, early in its existance and the aftermath of the 1943 fire.