Today in history

The fire on Aug. 10, 1990, forever changed the landscape of the west side of Iola’s courthouse square. The fire destroyed three Iola business buildings and damaged several others. Investigators determined the cause as arson, started in the kitchen area of T.C.’s Diner, destroying that building, which also contained John Foust’s law offices on its second floor. Also destroyed were buildings that housed Hixon’s Office Supplies and China Palace Restaurant. Five other buildings on the block were damaged by smoke or heat, including Unique Salon of Beauty, John Boyer’s Accucast Dental Laboratory and a computer business owned by Robin Boyer.