1871 Peshtigo Fire Stump

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Comment by Carissa Galow on October 29, 2013 at 2:40pm

It is an emotional story. :/

Comment by Kristin on October 29, 2013 at 2:28pm

Same here, Carissa.  I didn't know about it until we bought our land several years ago.  There are stories online from some of the survivors that describe the devastating reality of the fire.  It was very difficult for me to read.  It was literally an inferno that destroyed almost everything in its path.  I'm choking up just thinking about it.

Comment by Carissa Galow on October 29, 2013 at 1:05pm

I am from WI and even I didn't know about it until a few years ago. It is a very sad that it was forgotten by so many and that many more never even knew about it.

Comment by Kristin on October 28, 2013 at 1:54pm

The Peshtigo fire happened in Oconto County in 1871 and burned over 1.2 million acres, killing almost 3000 people.  Victims had nowhere to go.  Some even tried to escape the fire by jumping into the water, but the heat and smoke was too overpowering.  It wiped out entire families, left orphans, destroyed businesses, and mentally affected the lives of any survivors.  Some of orphans where too young to know who they were or who their family was.  This fire occured the same day as the famous Chicago Fire, which was a very small fire in comparrison, so the Peshtigo Fire became more of the "forgotten fire."  This burnt stump stands more as a memorial of the lives tragically lost over a century ago.  So very sad.

Comment by wiffledust on October 28, 2013 at 1:14am

that is mystical and magical!