On Monday, Jan. 27, 1868, the Clear Lake House, with most of its contents, was entirely destroyed by fire. The building took fire from a stove pipe, either in the upper ceiling or roof, and, before it was discovered, the flames had so far advanced that the building could not be saved with the means at hand. The building belonged to C. A. Barr & Co., and was situated on the south side of the C. & N. W. R’y. tracks. There was no insurance. Preparations were, immediately made to rebuild—the citizens aiding Mr. Barr in the matter. This was the first fire of any magnitude in what now constitutes the city of Waseca.

Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904 ; a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers, Owatonna, Minn.: Press of the Owatonna Chronicle, 1905, page 194
__________________