City Times Staff

The east side Holiday Inn is once again honoring a local building with a sweet confection.

In partnership with the Portage Co. Historical Society, the hotel is paying tribute to the oldest-surviving municipal building — Historic Firehouse No. 2. For the fifth consecutive year, the hotel’s gingerbread house is on display for visitors and guests at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Avenue.

The gingerbread house is more than five-and-a-half feet tall, six-and-a-half feet long and just over 30 inches wide. According to the Amber Grill’s Chief Matthew, the house was made with more than 150 pounds of flour, four gallons of molasses and 20 pounds of egg whites.

The Central Wisconsin Model Railroaders Club has also donated the use of a model train for the display.

The final firehouse creation was a cooperative effort between the hotel’s engineering, maintenance and housekeeping staff, as well as the kitchen crew and some guests.

The firehouse — Historic Firehouse No. 2 — was first constructed in 1885. The building initially included four bedrooms, a hayloft and an engine room, where a team of horses and a pump engine were kept. The building was sold to the Historical Society for $1 in 2005.

The display will be open for viewing through Jan. 1, 2017. The hotel’s lobby is open from 6 AM to 11 PM.

Historic Firehouse No. 2 is located at 1941 Strongs Avenue.