It seems like Almost Yesterday that the historic Halliday Hotel in Cairo, Ill., was destroyed by fire. The most famous structure in the history of Cairo was consumed by flames on the morning of Feb. 22, 1943. Within four hours, the majestic five-story, 155-room hotel was reduced to rubble. The estimate of damage was inititally placed at $80,000, but quickly escalated as the cost of replacement was considered. The fire started around 7 a.m. in the basement of the building, beneath the coffee shop