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Berwick Hotel
Colonel Joseph D. Taylor began the erection of a hotel, naming it the Berwick in honor of the town in Maine from which his wife came. The building was completed and opened on August 16, 1887. Colonel Taylor purchased the property in 1866.
Stories of Guernsey County by Wm. Wolfe page 587
Fires of 1891 and 1895
Burned Over Same Area.--Lightning may not strike twice in the same place, but fires have been known to do so. Two of the three outstanding fires in the history of Cambridge burned over the same ground. One of these occurred in 1891; the other, in 1895. Buildings that were erected to replace ones destroyed by the former were consumed by the latter.
Lack of Water.--At 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, November 21, 1891, fire broke out in the center of the Taylor block adjoining the Berwick hotel. When discovered, flames were pouring from the attic over the general offices of the C. & M. Railroad Company, and the furniture store of McDonald and McCollum.
In their efforts to prevent the fire from spreading, the firemen were joined by citizens who formed a bucket brigade. At that time Cambridge had no water system. Cisterns and wells near the conflagration were soon exhausted. From a cistern at the court square, having a capacity of 1,000 barrels, a hose was stretched. This burst, causing a delay. It was soon seen that the Berwick could not be saved.
Many people from the surrounding country were in town for their Saturday shopping, and assisted in fighting the flames and removing goods from burning buildings. Drays and wagons were used in hauling property from the section that was threatened. Efforts to head off the fire were continued until after dark. At 6 o'clock Mayor James R. Barr ordered all saloons closed.
Heavy Losses.--The burned area extended from Sixth street along Wheeling avenue nearly tot he alley east. The buildings destroyed belonged to Colonel J. D. Taylor and had a value of $60,000, insured for $38,000. Among the occupants who lost heavily were C. Ayre and Company, drygoods; H. C. Hornbrook, boots and shoes; J. K, McKinney, groceries; McDonald and McCollum, furniture; and J. M. Nelson, candy store. The loss of the Berwick was lamented most, because it was comparatively new.
Following this fire in 1891 a movement was started for a system of waterworks in Cambridge, and a better fire-fighting equipment. Colonel Taylor began at once to rebuild where the fire had destroyed.
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