One Of The Worst Disasters In U.S. History, The Peshtigo Fire, Happened Right Here In Wisconsin

A lot of great things have happened here in Wisconsin. There have also been a few not-so-great things, like The Peshtigo Fire. Though it occurred a century and a half ago, the fire remains the deadliest in U.S. history. Read on (and watch the video below) to learn about the catastrophe, which was as horrifying as it was destructive.

Today, Peshtigo looks like a typical small town. However, it’s actually the site of one of the most devastating events in history, The Peshtigo Fire.

The fire roared through Peshtigo on October 8, 1871, which was the same day as The Great Chicago Fire. Though the Chicago fire was far less deadly, it received widespread media coverage, ultimately overshadowing The Peshtigo Fire.

Wreaking irrevocable havoc, The Peshtigo Fire consumed 1.5 million acres of land and claimed the lives of about 2,500 people.

The historic blaze started off as a wildfire. High winds then caused the fire to spread rapidly, spurning fiery tornadoes or firestorms. According to reports, Peshtigo residents likened the sound of the approaching firestorms to the rumble of a freight train.

Residents tried to escape the inferno by jumping into the Peshtigo River. Unfortunately, the firestorms were able to leap over large bodies of water.

The fire’s destruction was absolutely devastating, leaving behind piles of ashes and charred lumber.

Today, you can learn all about the fire by paying a visit to Peshtigo Fire Museum, which is housed in the first church built after the fire.

Offering a unique glimpse into the past, the museum houses an impressive variety of artifacts from the historic blaze.

There are also displays depicting what life was like at the time of the fire.

To make sure each visit is as informative as possible, museum workers are on hand, ready to share the story of the catastrophe.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Peshtigo Fire. It was posted on YouTube by The History Guy: History Deserves To Be Remembered: 

For more information, call Peshtigo Fire Museum at (715) 582-3244. You can also visit the Peshtigo Historical Society’s website or Facebook page.

Did you know about The Peshtigo Fire? If so, were you aware that it was the nation's deadliest? Tell us in the comments section.