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.
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.
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
