History Lecture: Ellsworth's Great Fire of 1933

Ellsworth Historical Society president Bill Fogle will discuss the Great Fire of 1933 with historical photos and a creative video that brings the extent and impact of the devastation to life. The catastrophic fire of May 1933 forever changed Ellsworth’s architecture, transforming Main Street from a sprawling corridor of vulnerable, ornate wood-frame Victorian structures into a fortress of brick, defined by fire-resistant masonry and yielding a cohesive streetscape of Art Deco brickwork. Today, the enduring brick facades of Main Street Ellsworth -- recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places -- stand not just as functional commercial spaces, but as a striking, unified monument to a community's determination to forge a foundation that could never again be swept away by the wind and flames.

Light refreshments will be available for those attending in person. 

 This lecture is being presented in person with the option of watching via Zoom. When…