14 • The Beacon July 10, 2025
THE
FIRE 20 YEARS AGO
Fire destroyed iconic building
Twenty years ago in July
2005, a fire destroyed the historic Park Hotel on Main Street in Coshocton, which stood where the Pomerene Center’ s artPARK now does. Here’ s a look back at that event from microfilm of the Coshocton Tribune at the Coshocton County Library and photos from the collection of the late Dan and June Markley. The photos were shared by Larry Stahl, who is now caring for Dan and June’ s collection of photos.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Original articles by Valerie Grace, Josie McCormick and Rachel Streitfeld
Late last night a fire destroyed the historic Park Hotel on Main Street. The fire, started by four youths, would draw a crowd who watched the landmark’ s final moments. Firefighting continued through today as crews prepared to begin demolition work.
Jerry Stenner, city service director, said,“ We’ re going to try to get as much done today in daylight as possible … to try to get down to the pockets of
“
We’ re going to try to get as much done today in daylight as possible … to try to get down to the pockets of heat and fire. We want to keep it from collapsing and put all the fire pockets out..” Jerry Stenner,
city service director
heat and fire. We want to keep it from collapsing and put all the fire pockets out.”
A crowd gathered to watch the Park Hotel being torn down.
Investigations are ongoing with Fire Chief Michael Layton saying,“ We’ re not sure whether it was intentionally or unintentionally set.”
Cheryl Cooksey said,“ I’ m about sick to my stomach. In its heyday you used to have a Greyhound bus stop. I can remember coming and having Thanksgiving dinner( at the hotel) as a kid.”
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Original articles by Rachel
Streitfeld
The neon letters of the Park Hotel’ s marquee have been removed by The Signmaker’ s Steve Mercer as part of ongoing efforts to demolish the hotel. Work had to be halted on the neighboring Sherwin-Williams store due to the presence of flammable gas from evaporating solvents.
Charges have been levied against one of the youths believed to be responsible for the fire, Richard McMillan. Two others told their sides of the story, dispelling rumors that the fire resulted from a party held in the hotel.
One of the youths claimed to be living in the abandoned hotel. According to them, Mc- Millan poured what he thought was kerosene on a candle to shed more light but was in fact paint thinner, causing a small explosion and catching McMillan’ s arm alight.
Jim Nelson, managing realtor, said the hotel had a history of break-ins after it was closed. Another realtor, Curt Crouso, noticed signs that people had been in the building on a recent walk-through with clients.
Saturday, July 16, 2005 Original articles by Valerie
Sand was brought in and scattered over the sidewalk to protect the sidewalk from falling brick and stone as the Park Hotel was being razed after the July 2005 fire.
Submitted
Submitted
Grace and Kristi Lowe The recent fire at the Park Hotel has caused locals to share their memories of the landmark. Jerry Zwelling bought the hotel in 1975, and his son Stuart Zwelling recalled,“ The Park Hotel was something he wanted to do because he enjoys working with people.( Dad) was the owner, manager, the bartender, the guy behind the front desk, the guy booking the golf thing, the guy in the kitchen. He would do whatever he had to … to make sure that your stay at the Park Hotel was a pleasant one.”
Although he didn’ t share what his father said upon hearing the news, he said,“ Though he didn’ t show it, you could see a little tear in his eye. This was his pride and joy.”
Mary Oakes worked at the hotel shortly after the fire in 1946, being contacted to help by William Bachert while he was remodeling.
“ You have many hats in a hotel,” she said.
Oakes had worked at the front desk as a hostess and as the hotel’ s PBX operator. She recalled a number of the characters who stayed or worked at the hotel. Oakes said the customers always enjoyed the banjo playing of Jerry Weaver and organ playing of Ed Davis.
“ I will always remember those two,” she said.
The late Richard Bachert was a member of the Coshocton Real Estate Co., which owned the hotel when William Bachert renovated it following the fire in‘ 46. Jeanine Bachert-Minek, who grew up in Cleveland,
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