Ellsworth Independent-Reporter

Ellsworth boys rescued from train car
Two five-year-old Ellsworth boys were rescued from the inside of a coal car July 28 on the rairoad tracks in Ellsworth. No injuries were reported.

Friday July 30

After Harvest Czech Festival

Wilson
Wilson celebrates its 50th annual festival this year. The festival continues Saturday, July 30, and include a large parade and many other activities.

This was the scene in Wilson early Friday as firefighters from around the area worked to stop a fire that engulfed several downtown buildings, including the historic Wilson Opera House. I-R photo by Juanita Kepka.

Historic Wilson building lost to fire
By I-R staff
Last Updated: November 06, 2009

Firefighters from Ellsworth County and other areas were in Wilson early Friday morning to battle a fire that could be seen for miles.

The fire call sounded at about 2:15 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the scene along Old Highway 40, at least one building was engulfed in flames and others were threatened. There were no injuries.

The fire quickly spread from building to building, with their common walls, as firefighters worked to stop the blaze. Gone was a doctor's clinic, a building where cars were stored and the town's historic Opera House, which was home to much of the Wilson's Czech history. Next in line was the American Legion building, which firefighters worked to save.

Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles blocked the highway. Spectators stood in small groups, watching as firefighters worked to save at least part of the Opera House. However, by 4 a.m., it was mostly a shell, its roof and windows gone.

Smoke and fire embers drifted over the town and the stench of burning wood filled the air.

Fire departments responding to the blaze included Wilson, Ellsworth, Holyrood, Dorrance, Kanopolis, Lincoln and Russell. There were about a dozen departments in all.

Read the Nov. 12 edition of the I-R for extensive coverage of the Wilson fire.

18 Comments | Add a comment

How sad! The community has worked so hard to preserve this historic structure. Personally this building holds so many memories for me. My first movie, first time meeting Santa Claus and many more. Many thanks to all the firefighters who risked their lives fighting this fire. Even though I haven't lived in Wilson for many years, the memories of growing up and spending my childhood there are never far from my mind.

RDM
Nov 9, 2009 3:05 PM

Wilson has had a true lose for the town, but even on Friday, as the flames were dying down, there were calls to rally. While some quickly say all is lost, many see there is still much to save, protect and come back strong. Yes, a virtual museum of photos and all can be started. The walls of the Opera House may be saved. Ideas of these walls becoming a courtyard to hold all events "under the stars" and Czech Fest moves forward. Many such building shells of just walls have made super acoustics for community events. Much in the basement museum is still tere in iron and cast metal of our history. Just like saving things from 9/11, a town dig is far better than giving these treasures to the landfill. Now is not the time to let Wilson suffer a greater tragedy destroying what is left. What a place to to put the world's largest Czech egg than inside the Opera House "courtyard" past its hallmark limestone arch. Wilson isn't down yet!! Roger Hubert

Roger Hubert
Nov 9, 2009 12:24 PM

In a way I am glad my grandmother (Laverne Libal) didn't have to see one of her favorite places in town burn. I know she spent alot of her life and time there. Czech Festival wont ever be the same without the Opera House.

Jerrod Frederking
Nov 8, 2009 01:30 AM

Way to fire depts for working together and trying to save the buildings. All needs to remember these men and women are doing this as volunteers. Its great to see how fire depts can work one fire and work to reach the same goals. As you see thses men and women wal though town make sure you all think them of the job that they did.

Anonymous
Nov 6, 2009 10:19 PM

A HUGE thank you to all the firefighters. Without your fantastic job the damage would have been so much worse. It was a sad day today when we lost so much history. Thanks to you brave people for your efforts!! A thanks to the ambulance crews and the Red Cross also.

Jeannie Thrasher
Nov 6, 2009 8:27 PM

That is soo sad. I wish I would have known my last time there would have been my last.

candy cunningham
Nov 6, 2009 2:55 PM

What a sad loss for the Wilson community and surrounding communities. So many memories and treasures...especially at a time when our small communities are already suffering from the state of the economy.

Anonymous
Nov 6, 2009 2:36 PM

my family is extremely upset at the loss all the hard work everyone has ever done on it is all gone. but i call for all people to gather your most valuable pictures and stuff and lets see it returned to glory

Anonymous
Nov 6, 2009 2:28 PM

I am sad to hear of the loss the the Opera house. Not only was it a community gathering place, several memories where made there... Including school dances, Czech Festivals, the KS Czech Slovak Queen contest... I fervently hope that a fund raiser will be organized to try to restore or rebuild... If not, at least the old gal was immortalized in the movie Paper Moon.... So we can still see what she looked like in all her glorie

Anonymous
Nov 6, 2009 12:47 PM

I was watching the news at noon when I saw about the fire in Wilson. I grew up in Ellsworth & when my mother was at the Golden Living Center I would pass by it. This is a huge loss for Wilson, I am just thankful that there were no injuries.

Janice Briggs Edwards
Nov 6, 2009 12:31 PM

i still cant believe that 200 years of history was just lost just like that in a simple fire... wow... i live in wilson it started in an antique store then to the opera house then the dr. office and museum and almost the recreation center...where someone lives by the way... but i think it is still burning from 3:00 am to 12:00 pm and that is crazy!!!!

jennah
Nov 6, 2009 11:55 AM

I am saddened by the loss in Wilson, even though I am new in town and had not had the opportunity to visit the buildings involved. I grieve with those who have such fond memories.

Barbara Hartley
Nov 6, 2009 11:47 AM

What a lost to the town and the community. Treasures that can't be replaced. Hope no lives were lost . Many thanks to the fire fighter that fought the blase. Some of my memories are lost with the lost of the opera house.

Lawrence Kottas
Nov 6, 2009 11:18 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about this big loss to the city of Wilson. My brother Larry Doran donated historical items from my family to the museum. The primary piece was a restored two wheel Shetland pony buggy with wicker trim. It probably arrived in Wilson with the earlist English settlers before the immigration from Czechoslovokia. My father Roy Doran delighted his grandchildren with pony and buggy rides. We had many registered Shetlands when I was growing up. My father had a great love of ponies from a very young age when he was orphaned and went to live with the Charles Jellison family. The red fox in the area was also brought in by the English. I researched this information when I was a student at KSU and which is stored somewhere at the state capital. Truly a part of my history as well as so many people has been lost.

Carol Schwien-Weider
Nov 6, 2009 10:03 AM

I was born in Ellsworth and raised in Wilson. I have so many memories of the Opera House. My grandmother cleaned the building for many years and my sister and I helped. We had school dances there. My aunt worked there when it was still a theatre. We had many family reunions in the basement. What a horrible thing to happen to a wonderful building. It will be missed so much, but the memories go on.

Janet Trotter (Miller)
Nov 6, 2009 08:37 AM

I'm sorry to hear of the fire in Wilson.

Anonymous
Nov 6, 2009 08:21 AM

What a huge loss for the entire county. The opera house was such a treasure.

Andrew
Nov 6, 2009 07:35 AM