When the Gong Rings

A Fire History of Charleston, Illinois Compiled by Howard Taylor

CHARLESTON FIRE EQUIPMENT IS PROVEN INADEQUATE
A History On-Line Page by Howard Taylor

LAWES HOTEL BURNS
    In 1927, fire of unexplained origin destroyed the Lawes Hotel, Fifth and Jackson streets, Saturday about midnight, entailing a loss on building and furnishings of about $25,000. The Lawes Hotel was filled with guests on Friday night on account of the basketball tournament, but Saturday night found only three persons in the building. The hotel was