Rainy River in Rainy River District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
1910-2010
One Hundred Years of History
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2024
1. 1910-2010 Marker
The Great Fire Of 1910 started on October 4, 1910 in Williams, Minnesota and spread quickly throughout many Townships.
On October 7, 1910 the fire reached Baudette, Minnesota. At this time the railroad and Rainy River citizens used railway box cars to evacuate Baudette residents to safety. Unfortunately, Rainy River suffered the same fate as Baudette, when the fire jumped the Rainy River.
The fire burned down much of the Town including the mill and lumber yards, which at the time were Rainy River's major industries.
The Town never recovered the economic prosperity it enjoyed before the fire and many lives were affected.
This tragic event is being remembered 100 years later as a life changing event in the history of Rainy River.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1910.
Location. 48° 43.35′ N, 94° 34.127′ W. Marker is in Rainy River, Ontario, in Rainy River District. It is at the intersection of Atwood Avenue (Provincial Highway 11) and 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Ontario and specifically in Northwest Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1960-2010 (here, next to this marker); 4008 Steam Locomotive (a few steps from this marker); The Canadian Northern Railway (a few steps from this marker); Yonge Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Canadian Legion (within shouting distance of this marker); Massacre Island (approx. 1.9 kilometers away in the U.S.); Great Fire of 1910 (approx.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2024
2. 1910-2010 Marker
It is rightmost of the two markers in front of the 4008 Steam Locomotive exhibit.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Great Fire Of 1910
Also see . . .
1. Baudette fire of 1910 (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Baudette fire, also known as the SpoonerBaudette fire, was a large wildfire on October 7, 1910 that burned 1,200 to 1,450 square kilometres in Beltrami County (now in Lake of the Woods County), Minnesota, including nearly all of the twin towns of Spooner and Baudette. Damage was horrific yet less so in the communities of Zipple, Roosevelt, Swift and Warroad in the U.S. and Stratton, Pinewood, Rainy River, and Sprague across the river in Canada, which also suffered losses. The Town of Rainy River lost its lumber mill, but saved many of the residents of Baudette and Spooner since the residential area was not affected. Their American friends were welcomed into homes where they remained for a very long time as their homes had to be rebuilt, creating a strong bond between the two communities.(Submitted on August 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Rainy River, Ontario (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The lumber industry and associated mills stimulated growth of the town, as did the Railway. In 1910, a forest fire known as the Great Fire of 1910, originating in northern Minnesota, swept north and destroyed the mills. On the southern, US side of the river, the villages of Baudette and Spooner were destroyed in the fire. Most survivors from the US-side survived because residents from Rainy River backed a train of box cars across the bridge and pulled the people north to safety. After the fire, the mill industry relocated. The population of Rainy River quickly declined from more than 2000 people to less than 800. No alternative economy was developed to support a larger population.(Submitted on August 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
