1996: Historic Eldridge hotel burns

March 6, 1996: A building at 109 W. Franklin St. in Eldridge was heavily damaged due to an electrical fire. The historical building was once a hotel and housed Ye Olde Eldridge Bike Shop and the Country Peddler Shop, as well as three apartments, all of which received severe water and smoke damage. No one was injured, but Eldridge fire investigator Dave Kopatich expressed doubts the building could be saved.