New Milford has had several ruinous fires in its history. A fire swept through Bank Street in 1860, and another, a few years later; but the most destructive conflagration occurred on May 5, 1902, when the village was startled by the ringing of bells, the tooting of steam whistles, and the cry of “Fire!” Smoke and flames were seen issuing from the stables back of the New Milford House. The hose company hastening to the scene put forth great efforts, and for a time seemed to have obtained control; but the flames spread in all directions, to the alarm of the inhabitants, who were removing their goods to supposed places of security. The solid block on Bank Street was soon in flames. Then, in spite of the strenuous exertions of the firemen, the fire leaped across the street to the north side and ignited the roofs of brick buildings where merchandise had been placed for safety. The neighboring city of Danbury sent a gallant band of firemen with one of their best engines, with which they labored with great zeal to subdue the flames. With the aid of our own brave boys, this was finally accomplished, but not until the whole block and both sides of Bank Street were smoking ruins. Three hotels, two bank buildings, the Post Office building, and the largest mercantile establishments in the town, with their contents, were destroyed. The only building in the whole square that was saved intact was the fine mansion on the southeast corner of Main and Bridge streets, the residence of State Bank Commissioner Charles H. Noble and his brother, Town Clerk Russell B. Noble--worthy descendants of the pioneer settler of the town. Did the brave merchants and men of affairs, who could do nothing while they saw their property go up in smoke, sit down in despair? Not they! They cleared away the rubbish before it was cold. They worked with a will to bring order out of chaos. They erected on “The Green” cheap wooden buildings, in which they gathered the remnants of their goods; and [Illustration: _Photograph by C. D. Hine, May 7, 1902_ NEW MILFORD AFTER THE FIRE] soon the beautiful square looked like a mushroom city in some mining district of the West. They named it “Shanty Town,” and for several months business was transacted there. After the fire, streets were improved, and the system of drainage was extended. Stores were enlarged--some to double their former size--their business increased, and in less than two years no trace of the terrible catastrophe was visible.