1890-1905: On February 20, 1903, a horrific fire destroyed the Clifton Hotel at the corner of First Avenue SE and the Fourth Street railroad tracks. Ultimately, seven persons died as a result of the fire and many more suffered injuries from jumping out of hotel windows. Some guests of the Clifton jumped to safety onto the roof of the National Hotel which had recently opened next door at 319 First Avenue SE. Lack of adequate fire escapes prompted a long investigation following the fire. The Clifton Hotel building was a total loss and following its demolition arose new Cedar Rapids regulations that required that all new downtown hotels were to be built a “fireproof” structures.
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