As a Genealogist and Historical researcher, I often find myself buried in books (i.e. websites, photos, papers) for days. I suspect many of my friends and clients wonder what I could be doing that takes so long.
This is the first in a series of blog posts that will give you a peek behind the scenes of a current research project. Enjoy!
On 20 January 1904, the Brighton Fire Department alarm was sounded at 1:55 am by volunteer fireman Newton S. Throckmorton and Sam Harden. The "Old Carmichael House," located on the Skeel Ranch, owned by Roswell Skeel Jr. of New York and occupied by the newly minted Adams County Courthouse, was fiercely aflame.
The former residence of Daniel F. Carmichael, also known as a founding father of Brighton, Colorado, was a nineteen-room mansion on the outskirts of town. It was converted into the Adams County Courthouse in 1902 when Brighton was selected as the temporary county seat. A January 1903 article in the Brighton Register praised the building as "admirably adapted for the purpose." It detailed the layout, noting offices on either side of the spacious entry hall. On the right were the "well lit and cheerful" County Superintendent room and Commissioner's room, connected by "a passage way between," the Clerk's office in between. On the left were the largest room, the County Judge's chambers and the Treasurer's office. Both the Clerk and Treasurer's offices included a lavatory and closets for plenty of storage. Upstairs, the Assessor's office occupied the entire south side.
Members of the volunteer fire department turned out quickly to blaze. According to the fire department record of the incident, "When the hose cart arrived both front rooms and front of hall and upper front part of building almost all afire." Firemen laid hose to the north and the south of the building from the front of the building and another from the water works hydrant in the rear. The roof and front walls fell outward minutes after the fire department arrived.
As we look at the photo above and see the remaining brick walls, we might ask why did the building go so quickly? The answer is found in the fire department records. The first floor walls were made up of brick with a 12" base and 8" walls. The upper floor walls, floor, and roof were all wooden in construction. The rear of the house was also frame construction. And suprisingly, only half of the rear rooms were damaged. The jailrooms housed in the rear of the house was not damaged.
While early new reports claimed the total loss of all records and estimates of value ranged from $10 thousand to $100 thousand, the clerk's safe fell into the basement and was saved by a steady stream of water. In fact, both the safes (the other being in the Treasurer's office) were recovered. According to the exclusive report in the Rocky Mountain News, "In the safe used by the county treasurer the covers of the books were found to be considerably scorched, but all the leaves were Intact and uninjured. The contents of the county clerk’s safe were in almost perfect condition, being only slightly damaged by water."
Unlike many county court buildings that had experienced fire damage, Adams County managed to preserve a significant amount of important items. They recovered "treasurer’s warrants, register of county’s warrants, ledger and journal, impression copy of tax receipts, canceled county warrants, register of school warrants, and a quantity of paper and silver money." Additionally, they found a reception book, commissioner’s journal, and a warrant book that documented all warrants issued since the county's establishment, as well as incumbent’s and release record books, court’s fee books, unfiled papers, official bonds, contracts, miscellaneous documents, and several hundred dollars in currency.
Located on 2nd Ave, which was later renamed South Cabbage, the town hall was home to the Brighton Fire Department. The equipment at that time consisted of a Hook & Ladder Wagon and a Hose Cart.
The following members were prominent at the fire: C. E. Brashear, fire chief, C. F. Hicks, W. H. Abbett, Fred Pearce, Fred Throckmorton, N. S. Throckmorton, Frank Collier, Ralph R. Lee, James P. Higgins, A. Lakin, P. H. Savage.
A commendation of the department for the services rendered at the fire were recommended for Louis Purcell, C. E. Brashear Jr., S. W. Hinds, N. S. Throckmorton, Guy McCreery, E. W. Swan, and J. N. Counter.
What am I up to these days? One of my ongoing projects involves a journey through our city. The Brighton Fire Rescue District is constructing a new training center on Fire House Road. This center will feature a museum showcasing the first two fire engines: a 1915 Republic and a 1927 American La France. I am currently working on a special history project for the new building. It will open to the public later this year.
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