On October 4, 1916 a large percentage of the adult population of Mendon had taken a day trip to Kalamazoo. Seems a fellow known as "The Human Fly" was there and was going to climb some buildings. Back in Mendon, the clerk at Royer's Meat Market left a fire unattended while he waited on a customer. Somehow that fire got out of control and the 15-20 mile per hour winds did the rest. When it was all over more than 40 buildings were gone.

Hart Hotel - Mendon Fire October 4, 1916 - From Christine Walters