In the early hours of February 27, 1961, a devastating fire destroyed one of Montague’s most historic buildings. The Franklin House Hotel, located in the heart of downtown, was consumed by flames in a blaze that could be seen across the community.
A Fire That Could Not Be Stopped
Newspaper accounts described the fire as a “cascade of fire,” with flames reaching an estimated 175 feet into the air. Fueled by the building’s 88-year-old wooden structure, the fire spread rapidly, eventually causing portions of the hotel to collapse into the street.
As it became clear the fire could not be contained, firefighters shifted their efforts to protecting nearby buildings.
Photo courtesy of the Muskegon Chronicle, February 27, 1961
Emergency Response in Winter Conditions
Fire crews from Montague were joined by responders from surrounding communities, including Muskegon, highlighting the scale of the emergency. Winter conditions added to the difficulty of fighting the blaze.
During the response, two firefighters were overcome by smoke:
- Kenneth F. Bernhardt, a Whitehall firefighter
- Jack H. Banning, a Montague firefighter
Both received emergency treatment and were not hospitalized.
A Total Loss
By daylight, the Franklin House was a total loss. Built in 1873, the hotel had once been described as “the finest hotel northeast of Chicago” during the region’s lumbering era. Over its long history, it had served travelers, workers, and visitors tied to Montague’s growth.
Photo courtesy of the Muskegon Chronicle, February 27, 1961
During the fire, three guests were rescued from second-floor rooms using ladders, escaping without serious injury.
A Lasting Moment in Local History
The destruction of the Franklin House marked the end of one of Montague’s most recognizable historic landmarks. For residents who remembered the hotel as part of daily life, the fire was a sobering reminder of how quickly a winter night could change the face of the community.
More than sixty years later, the Franklin House fire remains a significant chapter in White Lake area history — documented not only by memory, but by the photographs and newspaper accounts that captured the scale of the loss.
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