On this day 121 years ago, a devastating fire swept through Zachary, forever altering its landscape and history. The "Banana Fire," as it came to be known, was first reported in the early hours of June 4, 1903, and within a few short hours, it had reduced most of the town to charred debris.

The fire's exact origin remains a mystery, having started between two fruit stands owned by Joe Danna and V. Sala in the heart of the business district, and "both Italians claimed that it did not start in their places of business." 

It was later reported that the fire started due to a "green grocer flame ripening his bananas," a common practice back then to artificially ripen bananas.

Despite the best efforts of the townspeople and the "bucket brigade," the lack of adequate firefighting resources and a strong north wind allowed the flames to rage uncontrollably, leaving only a handful of buildings standing.

The following is a reprint of the original article from The Times-Democrat, published on June 4, 1903, which details the extent of the devastation and the impact on the community:

Fire Leaves Only a Few Scattered Buildings Standing. Four Business Houses Only Escape the Flames. Many Families Rendered Homeless by the Disaster. Loss Estimated at $70,000, With Insurance of Probably $25,000. Origin of Fire Being Investigated.

Where yesterday stood the prosperous town of Zachary in East Baton Rouge parish, a short distance north of Baton Rouge, with a population of 800 inhabitants and a number of well-established business houses and pretty residences, is today a mass of charred debris, with only four mercantile houses and a few scattered homes, the result of devastating flames which raged throughout the early morning.

Zachary is located on the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad, in the Fourth ward of East Baton Rouge parish, fourteen miles above Baton Rouge. The fire which resulted in its destruction was discovered at 1 o'clock this morning between two fruit stands situated on the northeast corner of the principal business block of the town, one occupied by Joe Danna and the other by V. Sala. As the places were virtually in the same building, being separated only by a thin partition, it is impossible to ascertain in which section of the building the fire originated, both Italians claiming that it did not start in their places of business.

The most conservative estimate shows that the loss entailed will amount to between $65,000 and $70,000 with probably $25,000 insurance. The morning trains brought a number of insurance men to the scene of the disaster, who are making efforts to establish the loss to their respective companies.

A number of persons who were interested in a business way visited the place during the morning, accompanied by the usual crowd who came through curiosity alone. Having no waterworks or other apparatus for protection, and with a stiff wind blowing from the north, the efforts of the citizens to check the flames were of little avail.

The Yazoo and Mississippi Valley depot is about the only building within close proximity to the burned section upon which the efforts of the "bucket brigade" had any effect. With charred and blistered walls, it stands as an evidence of the efforts of those who, seeing they could not save their own property, exerted unselfish energy to the aid of their neighbors.

The fire began at 1 o'clock, and by 5:30 had consumed every building within its reach.

Following is a list of the buildings destroyed:

• E.H. Skillman, grocery store
• A.N. King, saloon and groceries.
• C.S. Miller, saloon and groceries; building owned by Mrs. A.W. Converse.
• Morris Miller, general merchandise; building owned by R.S. Troth.
• Joe Danna, fruit stand; building owned by E.H. Skillman.
• V. Sala, fruit stand; building owned by E.H. Skillman.
• Henry Baumann; building owned by E.H. Skillman.
• Mrs. E.H. Skillman, millinery establishment and building.
• L.H. Parker; barbershop, building owned by E.H. Skillman.
• Dr. W.Y. Millican and Bro., drugstore and building.
• Miller Hotel, occupied by Mrs. G.W. Miller; building owned by W.S. Methovien.
• P.P. Comeaur, restaurant, building owned by Morris Wolf.
• Two-story billiard hall and fixtures, occupied as club; building owned by Morris Wolf.
• Leon H. Wolf, general merchandise and livery stables; two buildings.
• Residence of J.W. Fields, valued at $5,000, insurance $2500.
• Town Hall, value $800; no insurance.
• Residence of H.E. Harrell, $800, insurance $300.
• Residence occupied by Henry Baumann, owned by J.J. Quin.
• J.L. Wall's residence and tenant house.
• C.F. Ratcliff, residence and tenant houses value $8500, insurance $1500.
• Leon H. Wolf, residence.