On the evening of Wednesday April 29, 1914, a devastating fire in Hodgenville began at the vulcanizing and harness shop of D.B. Munford behind what is now the Lincoln Museum and engulfed the northwest quadrant of the town square and the buildings facing North Lincoln Boulevard. A train carrying the Louisville Fire Department, summoned to assist, did not arrive in time, and nearly all in the path of the fire was lost. Despite the scale of the disaster and efforts to remove merchandise from the buildings, there were few serious injuries and no fatalities. The fire caused an estimated $175,000 in damages, destroyed twenty-six businesses and nineteen residences, and wiped out losses including Read Mercantile, a poolroom, pharmacy, county school records, a telephone company, millinery shop, dental office, doctor's office, law office, dry goods shops, and grocery. The town showed resilience as the bank announced its papers were safe and staff soon resumed normal operations, and rebuilding of some businesses began almost immediately. New construction used brick instead of wood frame to guard against future fires, but because many businesses had little or no insurance, many never rebuilt or financially recovered. For years afterward, the town square remained dotted with vacant lots, many not filled until the mid to late 1920's. In 1989, the entire square was designated a Downtown Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places.