Fires play a major part in determining how a small town business community develops. These are scenes of some of the major fires impacting the Gallatin, MO, business community:
In 1910 fire gutted the Woodruff Hotel, located on the south side of Gallatin’s business square.
1962 — Fire threatened to destroy the north side of the Gallatin business square, especially the northwest corner square where fire broke out.
Fire completely destroyed the interior of the Gallatin Hotel in 1962, leaving only this exterior shell of the building on the northwest corner of the Gallatin business square. The brick shell was later razed.
1964 — Much of the north side of the Gallatin business square was destroyed by fire in 1964.
1964 — Fire on the north side of the Gallatin business square.
Much of the north side of the Gallatin business square was destroyed by fire in 1964.
1964 — Fire destruction on the north side of the Gallatin square.
1977 — Firefighters effectively contained a fire which threatened the west side of the Gallatin business square.
A crowd of concerned citizens gather as a fire threatening the west side of the business square in Gallatin, MO, plays out as volunteer firefighters attack flames from above and from the alley. Among businesses affected were Delma’s Fabric Shop and Jub Tomlinson Real Estate and Insurance.
Firefighters effectively contained a fire which threatened the west side of the Gallatin business square in 1977. Property damage occurred but commercial buildings escaped complete destruction.
This fire demolished the commercial building at 601 South Main Street which once housed Hiatt Motor & Equipment and later Gallatin Motor Company Honda among other interests. (date unknown)
1993 — Fire destroyed Barlow & Sons Oil Company, located at 103 Park Street in Gallatin, MO.
Fire destroyed Barlow & Sons Oil Company in February 22, 1993, despite the efforts from volunteer fire fighters soon after the alarm at 6:15 a.m. in sub-zero temperatures. The business was a complete loss. A quantity of ammunition exploded during the fire. A 500-gallon tank truck which had been parked in a service bay later exploded, causing fire fighters to return. Bulk storage fuel tanks located across the alley, however, were not damaged. There were no casualties. Owner Gene Barlow’s father, Frosty, started the business in 1937 but a fire in 1946 completely burned that original building.
2001 — Fire completely destroyed the McDonald Tea Room, located at 207-209 West Grand Avenue, Gallatin, MO.
2010 — Fire erupted in an office in the middle of the block on the east side of the Gallatin business square. Flames were sparked by a furnace malfunction and eventually claimed two buildings. No fatalities nor injuries were involved in the property damage.
Training Gallatin Volunteer Fire Fighters:
Members of Gallatin, Lake Viking and Jameson volunteer fire departments participated in the course “Introduction to the Fire Service” presented by the University of Missouri Fire & Rescue Institution in 1993. The training was held at the Gallatin Fire Station (the former Gallatin R-5 Vo-Ag Building on North Water Street). Also included in this slideshow are residential fires which occurred in Gallatin:
