ICHF Destroyed by fire!
The International Checker Hall of Fame and Chateau Walker in Petal was destroyed by a fire Saturday, September 29, 2007.
Over 60 firefighters from Petal, Hattiesburg, and Macedonia worked
together to battle the blaze that produced a
thick black cloud of smoke into the air. The smoke cloud could be seen
from Mississippi 42, more than two miles away.
The town landmark is located in the 100 block of Lynn Ray Road.
The International Checker Hall of Fame was built in mid-1970s as a part of businessman Charles Walker's mansion.
Most of the 35,000-square-feet building was destroyed, only thing not damaged in the fire was the family's RV.
Three family members escape the fire unharmed.
18
photos by Henrietta Wildsmith - Hattiesburg American, Firefighters try to
put out the Chateau Walker, The International Checker Hall of Fame in Petal
Saturday afternoon after it caught on fire.