On Nov. 15, 1920 a fire started at the Lilburn Supply Company in Old Town Lilburn. The devastating fire spread quickly, nearly destroying every downtown business. But in a show of force and unity, the remainder of the town was saved by a volunteer bucket brigade hauling one water-filled bucket at a time.

This year, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the traumatic event, the city and Old Town Business Leaders Group will thank and remember the original Bucket Brigade. A special proclamation was read by Mayor Tim Dunn at the Sept. city council meeting stating, “We believe our residents, business owners, local government, schools, and various civic groups are a continuation of that original ‘bucket brigade,’ ensuring that Lilburn continues to be a great place to live and visit.”

The city will observe the 100-year anniversary of the 1920 fire on Nov. 15 by co-sponsoring a socially-distanced event and will strive to commemorate the Bucket Brigade Day each year. More information to come as details of the event become available.

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez