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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Piece of History: 1888 fires led to end of Cedar Rapids egg, butter business
Cedar Rapids firefighters train at the J.R. Morin Co., circa 1890, in the 100 block of First Street SE in Cedar Rapids. The training at the egg and butter company happened after fires — thought to be arson — destroyed the company’s plants in Mechanicsville and Norway, Iowa. (The History Center)
The J.R. Morin Co. was a wholesale egg packer and a manufacturer and dealer of fine creamery butter in the late 1800s, with operations in Mechanicsville, Norway and Cedar Rapids.
The company, which opened around 1875, was successful until 1888, when three disastrous fires — perhaps set intentionally — destroyed its operations at Mechanicsville and Norway, Iowa.
The company rebuilt immediately. But a second fire that same year again destroyed the Norway facility.
No criminal charges were filed. But the company invited Cedar Rapids firefighters to a precautionary fire training session at the business’ Cedar Rapids location, 132-136 First St. SE.
Morin sold his shares and resigned from his namesake company in November 1893. The company failed the next year along with its primary shareholder, Morse, Smith & Co. After that collapse, the Bohemian American State Bank sued the Morin company, but the suit was dismissed in 1897.
Morin, a community leader in Cedar Rapids, served on the City Council and was vice president of the YMCA. He was a trustee of Cornell College and among those who organized Merchants National Bank.
Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org
