The Peru Gazette

Main Street prior to the May 18, 1921 fire; current Peru Hardware on left

Main Street following the fire.

May 18, 1921 Peru, NY – “Almost an entire block of residences, stores, garages and barns in the Peru Village were burned to the ground early this morning…” These were the first words in a Plattsburgh Daily Press story that described the tragic fire that destroyed almost all the buildings in the block between today’s Main Street, Pleasant Street, Mason Street and Elmore Street. When the fire subsided only what is today’s Peru Hardware and an adjoining small building remained standing.  In 1921 it was known as the Clough Store. Peru Volunteer Department did not exist at this time; Peru relied on the Fire Department from Plattsburgh. Click here to see a larger presentation of the photos.

Here is the account of the fire that appeared in the 2003 printing of History of Peru, New York authored or edited by Lincoln Sunderland. 

The pictures presented here were part of the “Peru’s Busy Past” exhibition at the Clinton County Historical Museum.  The Peru Gazette thanks Peru Historians Ron and Carol Allen, The Clinton County Historical Association and Lincoln Sunderland for their cooperation.