Stories from the Archives: The Great Peshtigo Fire presented by Karen Humiston

October 8, 2021 will mark the 150th anniversary of the deadliest wildfire in United States history. Collectively known as the Peshtigo Fire, flames burned over much of Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The fire destroyed approximately 1.2 million acres with the number of deaths estimated between 1,500 and 2,500. This calamity is very much a story of individuals and families, whose lives ended or were changed forever on that October night in 1871.

On September 29, 2021, Karen Humiston shared some of the many treasures she found at the UW-Green Bay Archives Department, along with the personal stories of those she researched for her forthcoming book on the Peshtigo Fire.

Long-lost immigrant letters bring a fire victim to life. Tax and probate records help recreate the farming community of Sugar Bush. Governor’s correspondence and Relief Committee ledgers illuminate the aftermath of the catastrophe and the effort to aid the survivors. These are only a few of the finds she uncovered at the UWGB Archives Department which add depth and color to the story of the “Forgotten Fire.”

[amyhull]

Thank you so much for sharing these personal stories and history of the people of Peshtigo.

[xtusvincit]

She left out the most important story, the saving of everyone in a church that was surrounded by fire. Our Lady of Good Hope!

[bjabbbjabb]

Methane ET inpact . Iversion kept it concentrated. One match was enough.

[scotthruska]

How many Mills where there, in the town of Peshtigo at the TIME OF THE FIRE 🔥?

[susietorres]

There’s only one Nellie Marshall on the Peshtigo lists. Nellie Marshall, age 8, daughter of Paul and Martha Marshall.

[pooder]

These fires were not normal forest fires. Look up Randall Carlson. He makes a solid case for these fires being produced by methane based fireballs originating from the draconian meteor shower.

[scotthruska]

What about the community at the mouth of the Peshtigo River where there was a giant sawmill-wealth a self sustained community dedicated to the production of that mill and keeping the river dredged so that the barges could move the lumber out into the bay of Green Bay. ?
I read books where there was a community of at least 500 people self-contained and dedicated to the function of the sawmill and keeping the river mouth open for the ships to all the lumber to Chicago for the VERY WEALTHY MARKET FOR TOP DOG LUMBER BARRONS…🔥🔥🔥🤑🤑🤑👹☠️☠️