Midnight fire: back of Arnold/Firestone Building 2012-04-30 - Columbia,KY - Photo by Rodney Thompson, Columbia/Adair County Fire Department. When Firemen and police first arrived on the scene the situation looked pretty bleak, with fires raging on the Square level and on the top floor. This photo was taken from the 100 block of Burkesville Street, with Columbia Police on the scene blocking off the scene. Photo by Rodney Thompson, Columbia/Adair County Fire Department Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

New Sweeper speeds work on cleanup 2012-04-30 - 100 block Burkesville Street, Columbia, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener. Tim Smith of the Columbia Street Department makes a pass along the curb by the site of last night's Arnold/Firestone Building Fire with the City's newly acquired street sweeper, as Columbia Street Department Superintendent Donnie Rowe awaits a stop to plan the next step. Superintendent Rowe says the sweeper is one of the top pieces of equipment his department has ever acquired. The sweeper was acquired in a bank auction for $15,000. "We've been offered $25,000 for it," Mr. Rowe said, and added that a similar new one would cost over $60,000. Rowe said that the equipment really saves on payroll costs, too, but that the biggest advantage is that Columbia has really clean streets. The equipment is used on all streets with curbs, he said. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Columbia Street Dept. makes quick work of clean up 2012-04-30 - 200 Quadrant, Public Square, Columbia, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener. Superintendent Donnie Rowe, and the Columbia Street Department had debris cleaned from from the sidewalks around 200 and 204 Public Square by 6amCT, Monday morning, April 30, 2012, following the midnight fire which did heavy damage to corner building. A fire line is around 200 Public Square, where Farm2Furniture.com was ready to open a new business. The Harris and Gayle Williams law office is outside the Fire Line keeping the public out of the heaviest hit area, and access to 204 Public Square appears to be open for Monday morning business. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

T.E. Waggener operated store at 200 Public Square 2012-04-30 - 200 Public Square, Columbia, KY - Photo from family album. Early business at 200 Public Square, site of April 29/30, 2012 midnight fire T.E. Waggener Store (the sign over the door says "Gill & Waggener" was located at the corner of Burkesville Street and the Public Square. The picture is believed to be from the 1914-1917 era. Standing in the doorway are, from left, Kathreen Willis (White), Mrs. Carl (Lula) Strange, and the proprietor, Thomas E. Waggener. T.E. Waggener was the father of the late Edwin Waggener, the grandfather of Columbia businessman Dan Waggener, and the great grandfather Columbia businessman Danny Waggener and Adair County Judge Executive Ann Melton. His birthday, April 26, is the same as a namesake, Thomas Waggener, owner of Main Street Bikes in Columbia, KY. The building has been, among other things, the Firestone Store, Susan Lynn's and later Mitzi's, and is currently owned by Dr. Ben Arnold. The poster in the window advertises a revival service with evangelist Weldon Greenfell. The identities of the two girls in the doorway have not been determined. Any help would be appreciated. CM would appreciate help locating photos of the historic buildings from other eras Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Midnight fire, Square, Columbia, KY under control 2012-04-30 - 200 Public Square, Columbia, KY - Photo by Donald Hare, Adair County Fire Department. Ladder One personnel surveyed roof damage and firemen checked second story conditions as firefighters complete their mission with the historic brick structure intact following the fire reported at 11:20pmCT, Sunday, April 29, 2011. Firefighters from Columbia and Breeding, Columbia City Police Officers, and Adair County SAR, Constable Jason Rector, left the scene at 2:40amCT, Monday morning, April 30, 2012, with Columbia Police continuing to monitor the the location after the fire was brought under control. - Photo by Donald Hare, Public Affairs Officer, Columbia/Adair County Fire Department. Text (c) ColumbiaMagazine.com Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Ladder One moves into position, fire Downtown Columbia, KY 2012-04-30 - 200 Quadrant, Public Square, Columbia, KY - Photo by Donald Hare. Smoke filled the Downtown Public Square, Columbia, KY as the Columbia Fire Department's Ladder One moved into position. The fire was reported at 11:20pmCT Sunday night, with first responders staying until 2:40amCT, this morning, Monday, April 30, 2012. Columbia City Police continue to monitor the scene this morning. - Photo by Donald Hare, Public Affairs Officer, Columbia/Adair County Fire Department. Text (c) ColumbiaMagazine.com Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Firefighters battle blaze on two floors/Arnold Building Fire 2012-04-30 - 100 Block, Burkesville Street, Columbia, KY - Photo by Donald Hare. Firefighters were battlling 1st and 2nd Story blazes early in the effort to bring the fire under control. This scene is on the 100 Block of Burkesville Street. At far right, for perspective, is Ernie Rogers' Farm Bureau Building. The blaze was reported at 11:20pmCT, last night, Sunday, April 29, 2012. Firefighters left the scene at 2:40amCT. - Photo by Donald Hare, Public Affairs Officer, Columbia/Adair County Fire Department. Text (c) ColumbiaMagazine.com Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

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