Historic Century Inn gutted by fire
Firefighters used aerial trucks to extinguish the fire that gutted the Century Inn in Scenery Hill.
A fire that began in a utility room at the rear of the Century Inn spread throughout the building.
Fire tears through the roof of the Century Inn in Scenery Hill early Tuesday.
Gary and Linda Nicholls comfort the owner of historic Century Inn, Megin Harrington, after a fire late Monday destroyed the stone landmark along Route 40 in Scenery Hill.
A rear view of the fire-damaged Century Inn in Scenery Hill.
A view of the fire damage from the front door to historic Century Inn in Scenery Hill.
The stone shell was about all that remained of historic Century Inn in Scenery Hill following a fire late Monday.
The Century Inn in Scenery Hill, shown here in the early 20th century, was built in 1794.
The exterior of the Century Inn located on Route 40 in Scenery Hill in December 2007.
Century Inn in Scenery Hill was built in 1794 as a home and soon became an inn and tavern.
The bar at Century Inn was an inviting place for passerby to stop for a drink.
One of the dining rooms at the Century Inn
SCENERY HILL – There was outpouring of deep sorrow across the region after a fire late Monday destroyed one of Washington County’s most recognizable and cherished landmarks.
Many people gathered Tuesday to see what little remained of the 227-year-old Century Inn in Scenery Hill and to offer sympathies to Megin Harrington, the owner of the building that once hosted U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk.
“It felt like somebody in my family had died,” said Washington County Historical Society Executive Director Clay Kilgore, describing the emotions he felt after learning about the fast-moving fire Tuesday.
State police fire marshal Chad Scrip ruled the blaze an accident after determining it was sparked shortly before midnight Monday by an electrical malfunction in a first-floor utility room. He said much of the sprawling building at 2175 Route 40 collapsed and he feared the building’s stone shell was about to do the same thing.
“It’s shot,” Scrip said Tuesday at the scene.
Flames could be seen shooting from the roof and windows and 20 fire companies from Washington, Greene and Fayette counties were called to assist Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Co. with the stubborn fire. Harrington was able to get out of the building safely after her son alerted her to the smoke about 11:57 p.m. Route 40 was closed for several hours as tanker trucks were used to bring in water to fight the fire after the Tri-County Municipal Authority water tank in the area was drained.
“When we got here the whole back was fully involved,” Ellsworth fire Chief Craige Pysh said.
Pysh and the fire marshal both said they were unsure if the building’s fire alarm was working Monday night.
Harrington said her son, Chip, had come to the inn to check on her about 11:45 p.m. and she went to her office on the third floor. He was still in the building when he smelled smoke, called her and told her to get out.
“It happened so fast,” Harrington said.
She said they were able to save a rare, historic Whiskey Rebellion flag that was on display in the inn’s tavern. But, Harrington said, her art collection and antiques displayed throughout the building were likely lost. Her son was also supposed to be married at the inn next month, she added.
“I have to talk to the insurance man to see what can be done,” Harrington said Tuesday morning.
“The Smithsonian calls frequently wanting the flag donated to its flag collection,” she said.
The 20-room inn was closed Monday and there were no guests staying there.
The tavern was built in 1788, enlarged in 1794 by Stephen Hill and it had been in continuous use along Route 40 until the fire gutted the building.
“It’s a sad day in our town,” said Mike Weber as he surveyed the damages to the inn. “That’s the biggest thing we have here.”
“This is a place where memories have been made,” added local resident Gary Nicholls.
“The loss of the artifacts is unbelievable,” Nicholls said.
He said the building’s contents were priceless.
The Marquis de LaFayette, Henry Clay and Mexican General Santa Anna were among the other famous people who were guests at the inn, according to its website.
Harrington said the building was insured, but it can not cover the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
A fundraising campaign was created by Aram Asarian, a friend of the Harringtons, to rebuild Century Inn. The campaign is seeking to raise $1 million and donations are being accepted at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rebuild-the-historic-century-inn.