510 - 514 N. Main

Originally owned by the Duff family, the 3-story building at 510-514 N. Main, was a dominating structure on Newton's Main street. The Duffs sold the department store to T.H. McManus. He sold everything from men's and ladies' clothing and shoes to grocery items. The building was destroyed in the 1914 fire.

Following the fire, McManus relocated to opera house (710 N Main) while a new building was being built. He lost everything again in the fire that destroyed the Ragsdale Opera House January 1, 1915. McManus sold the business in 1917 to Axtell & Pendroy.

In 1953, the building at 512 N Main, known as the KG&E building caught fire on February 21, 1953. The Newton Evening Kansan noted that "a three-alarm fire of undetermined origin swept through the Kansas Gas and Electric Company building, 512 Main street, Saturday morning, completely gutting the building and causing untold damage . . ."

The newspaper continues to describe the fire. At first "firemen with masks attempted to enter the building but reported the blazing inferno 'too hot' to get near." Eventually, four trucks were on the scene to fight the fire. At 10:45 a.m., the back wall of the structure collapsed. After the collapse, the firefighters were able to get the fire under control soon after.

The fire likely started in the basement. Other businesses affected included Gordon Ladies Wear Shop, Graber's Hardware and Brumback Paint & Paper Store. The Kansan reported that "a throng of over 2,000 people trampled the watery street and alley behind the building witnessing the fighting procedure." Damage was estimated at $50,000.

(Billie Wilson, Kristine Schmucker)