THOUSAND ISLAND PARK FIRE SWEPT.

HOTELS, COTTAGES AND BUSINESS SECTION DESTOYED.

GUESTS PANIC STRICKEN.

LOSS IS ESTIMATED AT $500,000 -- FIRE APPARATUS SUMMONED FROM ADJOINING TOWNS -- STRONG WIND HAMPERS WORK OF FIREMEN AND GUESTS WHO AIDED.

Watertown, N.Y., July 10. -- Hundreds came from the country about here today to gaze on the ruins of a fire which swept Thousand Island park on the St. Lawrence River. The Columbian hotel, 200 cottages and the business center of the city are in ruins. The Wellesley hotel was badly damaged. The loss is at least $500,000.
The hotels and cottages were filled with summer sojourners, most of whom lost their belongings. There was a panic as the flames spread, but it is believed that all of the guests escaped and that no loss of life will be recorded. Thousand Island Park is one of the most popular resorts on the St. Lawrence river.
The fire stated in Haller's department store, the cause not being known. A strong wind which was blowing spread the flames until in a moment neighboring stores were in flames. Every effort was made by the residents to check the flames, but all in vain. A telephone alarm was immediately sent to both Alexandria Bay and Clayton.
About a half hour after the starting of the fire the Columbian hotel was in flames. So quickly did the fire spread the Columbian was soon in ruins, the New York state educational building had been burned to the ground and the postoffice, church and all the leading business places destroyed.
With the catching of the Wellesley the fire spread throughout the entire park. Two hundred cottages and boarding houses were quickly consumed, and numbers of persons are practically homeless.
Firemen from Watertown, Clayton and Alexandria Bay reached the park and joined in the effort to save what was left of the resort.

Middletown Daily Times-Press New York 1912-07-10
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!