America's worst recorded forest fire ripped through the northeastern Wisconsin town of Peshtigo (and 2,400 square miles of surrounding woods) on the night of October 8, 1871. Called a "fire cyclone," the Great Peshtigo Fire killed half the town residents -- estimates of at least 800 souls (with hundreds more in nearby villages) -- and destroyed all of its 800 buildings. When people build a town in a forest, most of it is made of wood. The fire raged until it burned out naturally.
This horrible tragedy is barely known outside the area though, due in part to a bizarre coincidence: that same night in 1871 is when the Great Chicago Fire (of clumsy cow fame) occurred, effectively sucking up the firestorm of media coverage.
Today what remains in Peshtigo is a historical marker, a well-marked mass grave of 350 unidentified victims, other fire victim graves, and a small museum in an old church. We've been inside the museum (open May-Oct.), and recall seeing a glass cabinet of charred artifacts, some period photos and newspaper clippings, and a painted triptych providing before-during-after views of Peshtigo life and death-styles.
A drug store in town, Peshtigo Pharmacy, Crafts and Gifts, has an elaborate fire mural running around the interior of the building over the dental hygiene aids. That may still be there, and when the museum is closed is a good alternative stop during business hours.
[Thanks to John Holmes for the winter photo]
