A Changed Town

Other than the church and parsonage, the building in which I spend the most time here in Cooke City is the firehall.  And why wouldn't it be?  It is, after all, the building in which every town function, other than specifically bar nights, occurs.  Game nights, Christmas potluck, Easter potluck, bridal and baby showers, school gym time, school Christmas and end-of-the-year programs, search and rescue operations, birthday parties, town meetings, Santa's visit, women's quilting clubs... to mention just a few.  About 35 years ago, even Mount Republic Chapel held winter church services in this firehall.  Some of my most favorite memories from Cooke City are in this building, particularly winter game nights with the locals, playing with the kids and the incredibly hilarious "raunchy relays."

Five days ago there was an explosion in Cooke City, a gas leak that destroyed the Hoosiers Motel and rocked many of the structures in Cooke City.  Praise God the motel was closed for the winter and no one was injured.  Had it been summertime...

The blast occurred at one end of a one-level row of ten rooms and traveled down the length of them, destroying everything in it's wake.  At the end of the row of rooms is a street, and across the street is the firehall.

And, uunfortunately, as of yesterday, no more memories will ever be created by locals in this town firehall.  

The force of the explosion literally crossed the street and impacted the building in such a way that the already decrepit structure simply buckled.  And then it buckled some more.  And some more.  And some more.  Until yesterday, when it finally no longer had the strength to hold itself up.  To say it was a sad day for Cooke City is an understatement.  The ambulance is now in the groomer shed and the firetruck is in a local's garage.  Hopefully they don't forget which is where when they're needed next. 

I feel very privileged to know what this firehall has meant to this town and to have participated in the life it brought to this community.  I just wish there was another place.... another place for the kids to run inside in the winter or for the town to play games together or for the summer women to do their quilting.  There simply is no other place in town, other than the bar, and there the pool tables will get in the way for most things. 

The community will be altered by this change.  I guess now we need to have a few more fireman's picnics!