More than 100 firefighters helped battle a massive blaze that destroyed a historic tannery in downtown Sheboygan Falls.

A police officer noticed flames at the Stern Tanning Company about one Wednesday morning and called the fire department.

The tannery is a block and a half long on the banks of the Sheboygan River. It was not in operation at the time the fire started.

It's the second time the tannery was lost in a fire. The local chamber of commerce Web site says the tannery was built in 1880 and rebuilt after it burned in 1919.

The tannery's Web site says it refines hides for use as drum heads, parchment, artwork and clothing.

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