It was 65-years ago that downtown Allen suffered a huge loss. It was June 8, 1954 that lightning struck, causing a fi re that destroyed six structures on the north side of the main business block. The value of $150,000 in 1954 would be $1.5 million in 2019.

Following is the story that appeared in the Holdenville newspaper . . .

Allen Buildings Burn

In $150,000 Blaze Set

By Bolt of Lightning

Six Structures Are

Destroyed In ‘Business District Owners Doubt

If They Will Rebuild

ALLEN, June 8 — A lightning-started fire ravaged the downtown business heart of Allen Monday night during a torrential downpour of rain. Damage estimates ran as high as $150,000, and it was believed doubtful today if the six buildings will be restored.

Fire departments from Holdenville and Ada battled the flames for an hour and a half after the call was turned in. The fire started shortly before midnight, apparently when a bolt of lightning struck a neon sign in front of Saffarran’s drugstore.

Destroyed in the blaze were the drugstore, the J.I. Jones department store, the Rite Spot Café, Glover’s Variety Store, and two empty peanut warehouses. No injuries were reported, no one having been in the buildings at the time the fi re started.

Firemen were able to save four nearby buildings threatened by the fast-spreading fl ames.

The fire was fi rst spotted by Jack Noel, manager of the Allen theater, which is located across the street from the destroyed buildings. Noel called for fire fighting units from Ada and Holdenville.

The Allen telephone operator called owners of buildings in the area of the fire and remained at her post, directly across the street from the blaze, until forced to leave because of intense heat.

Five suitcases carried from Glover’s Variety Store were all that was saved from the destroyed buildings. Only the walls of the buildings remained standing this morning, and even they were crumbling.

Firemen fought hard to save buildings across the street as a high wind carried licking fl ames in their direction. Only damage was some scorching of the roofs of the buildings – a change in the wind made the firemen’s job easier.