Holland Civic Center
Isaac Cappon
The Holland Civic Center is the former site of the Cappon-Bertsch Tannery, owned by Isaac Cappon (Holland's first mayor) and John Bertsch. The tannery was one of the first buildings to go up in flames as the fire came down from the south. The process of tanning required the use of bark, and there were piles of dry bark stored around the tannery grounds.
From Barney Kieft:
“The bark piles and the tannery were also afire. Sparks and fire was flying everywhere. The heavy wind blew whole sheets of flaming bark four feet long and three feet wide over the trees and buildings to Fliestra’s grist windmill on First Street. It was an awful sight.”
