Peshtigo in Marinette County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Peshtigo Fire Cemetery
Photographed By Fitzie Heimdahl
1. Peshtigo Fire Cemetery Marker
On the night of 0ctober 8, 1871, Peshtigo, a booming town of 1700 people, was wiped out of existence in the greatest forest fire disaster in American history.
Loss of life and even property in the great fire occurring the same night in Chicago did not match the death toll and destuction visited upon northeastern Wisconsin during the same dreadful hours.
The town of Peshtigo was centered around a woodenware factory, the largest in the country. Every bulding in the community was lost. The tornado of fire claimed at least 800 lives in this area. Many of the victims lie here. The memory of 350 unidentified men, women, and children is preserved in a nearby mass grave.
Erected 1951 by the people of Peshtigo. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 45° 3.39′ N, 87° 45.252′ W. Marker is in Peshtigo
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Peshtigo Fire (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 0.6 miles away); Latitude 45° N (approx. 6.2 miles away); Milwaukee Road Depot (approx. 6.4 miles away); Queen Marinette (approx. 6.7 miles away); Isaac Stephenson (approx. 6.7 miles away); John Hubley (approx. 6.8 miles away); Evancheck Cabin (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peshtigo.
More about this marker. Cemetery is enclosed by a fence and locked gate; open limited hours. Although the fire covered a very large area, it is known as the Peshtigo fire because the greatest loss of life and property occurred there. This marker was the first official state historical marker authorized by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
Regarding Peshtigo Fire Cemetery. This was America's most disatrous forest fire which began on the same day as the Great Chicago fire. Twelve hundred people died in total during this fire. Only 300 died in the Chicago fire. It covered an area 40 miles long and 10 miles wide.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Peshtigo Fire
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry. “The Peshtigo Fire was a forest fire that took place on October 8, 1871 in and around Peshtigo, Wisconsin. It was the deadliest wildfire in recorded history, with estimated deaths of around 1,500 people, possibly as many as 2,500. Occurring
I, Royalbroil plus Ruhrfisch via Wikimedia Commons
2. Extent of the Peshtigo Fire
Photographed By Keith L, September 17, 2008
3. Peshtigo Fire Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Robert L Weber, May 28, 2010
4. Peshtigo Fire Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,939 times since then and 109 times this year. Last updated on July 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2021, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on October 7, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 13, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on December 14, 2010, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
