NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The historic Archer House, a hotel built in 1887, was destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered around 3:30 p.m. in an on-premises restaurant and spread quickly. By 5 p.m., smoke was billowing from all four floors. Everyone made it out safely. A firefighter, however, was taken to the Northfield hospital for smoke inhalation. Also, one employee suffered a non-life threatening burn wound. Firefighters from Hampton Faribault, Farmington, Lonsdale, Randolph responded. Northfeld firefighters were on scene into the night monitoring hot spots and protecting nearby buildings that were evacuated. The hotel housed numerous enterprises: River Inn, bar, Chapati, Smoqehouse, Northfield Tavern and Paper Petalum.
Archer House. Decades of Northfield grandeur in flames. Image: Sam Wilmes