Over the years, disasters have visited our community in many forms. Articles that reported on fires, floods, accidents and other stories where our neighbors and friends have come to grief, graced the front pages of the Livingston Manor Times all too often.

Those of us who had traveled to, through or resided in the outlying community of Lew Beach know of the welcoming hospitality at two of our area’s most popular hotels; “Luke’s” and Hourigan’s.” Tradesmen working “up the valley” often found relaxing moments on their way home from the job at either of the two establishments. During deer hunting season, scores of hunters would take up residence at area backwoods hunting camps, often sharing their tales of combing hill and dale in search of their prey while enjoying the last hunt of the day at either pubs’ mahogany ridge. For both seasonal and year-round residents alike, the two hotels were places to socialize with fellow valley neighbors.

Thus, there was a deep sense of loss when at midday on April 13, the two buildings became engulfed in one of the largest conflagrations our area has seen in recent memory. It became especially tragic when Mrs. Margaret Hourigan, the proprietor’s wife, succumbed later from her injuries caused by the blaze.