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Metz Township near Posen in Presque Isle County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

The Metz Fire of 1908

Site No. 1

— Metz Fire Historical Site —

 
 
The Metz Fire of 1908 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023
1. The Metz Fire of 1908 Marker
Inscription.
The Metz Fire of 1908 began west of Millersburg sometime on the morning of October 15, 1908. Driven along by gale force winds, by that night the fire had burned all the way to the Lake Huron shore and threatened to destroy the two lighthouses at Presque Isle. The cone-shaped area outlined in the heavy black line on the map shows the extent of the fire. Within that zone, however, there were many areas that did not burn.

Along the way, Millersburg, Hawks, Belknap, Hagensville, Posen, Long Rapids, Alpena, and Rogers City had been threatened. The villages of South Rogers, Bolton, Cathro, and Metz had literally been incinerated. In addition, between 200,000 and 300,000 acres of forest and farmland was burned, making it the third worst forest fire in the history of the state.

Thirty-seven people died in the fire. The village of Metz and the surrounding area of Metz Township got hit the hardest. Twenty-four people died there and 84 of 110 families in the township were left homeless. In most cases the families also lost their barns, outbuildings, tools, and livestock. Many were left with only the clothes they were wearing that day. All of the structures in the village of Metz were destroyed. In northern Alpena County, 50 houses and 75 barns were destroyed, along with 6 country schools.

The cause
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of the fire was never determined. It may have been started by a farmer burning brush, a carelessly discarded cigar, sparks from a passing steam locomotive, or a lightning strike.
 
Erected by Metz Township, the Metz Fire Centennial Committee, and the Presque Isle County Historical Museum. Made possible by Community First Fund of the Presque Isle Electric & Gas Cooperative, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, and First Federal Community Foundation. (Marker Number 1.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1908.
 
Location. 45° 17.076′ N, 83° 48.02′ W. Marker is near Posen, Michigan, in Presque Isle County. It is in Metz Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of County Route 441 and Railroad Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2046 Railroad St, Posen MI 49776, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Earnest P. Bicknell (here, next to this marker); Metz Before the Fire of 1908 (a few steps from this marker); Metz D&M Depot Before the Fire (a few steps from this marker); Metz After the Fire (a few steps from this marker); Relief Shacks (a few steps from this marker);
Close Up of Map Reproduced on the Marker image. Click for full size.
2. Close Up of Map Reproduced on the Marker
Distributing Relief Supplies (within shouting distance of this marker); The Metz Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Our Common Ancestors (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Posen.
 
The Metz Fire of 1908 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023
3. The Metz Fire of 1908 Marker
The pavement in the distance is Railroad Street. Closer to the photographer is the North Eastern State Trail, which has been built on the original right-of-way of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 134 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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Jun. 15, 2024