February 27, 1923 Fire destroys Middle Country Road Hotel. Fire broke out at approximately 0030 hours at Frank Freide’s Middle Country Road Hotel. Mrs. Freide called Mr. Herschi who picked up grandmother Mrs. Margaret Wagner, 101 years old and carried her over to his home, after giving the alarm. Upon investigation the fire was located in the ceiling. There was no means of fighting the fire on premises, not having a cistern. The St. James Fire Company got to the fire first, Smithtown almost on the smae instant. It was splendid work on the part of both companies. Mr. Charles C. Hicscliy is a retired fireman of the New York City department and his prompt assistance made it possible to at least rescue the old lady. Mr. Frank Freide desires to thank both fire companies for their excellent work under unusually advers circumstances.
Referenced in the “History of the Smithtown Fire Department 1956” as follows: “We receievd a frantic call from the St. James Eagle Hook and Ladder Company to help put out the disastrous fire that claimed Freides Hotel on Jericho Turnpike in Nesconset”
Note: This fire would be in the Nesconset Fire District today but they did not exist in 1923.
Smithtown Messenger 3-2-1923
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