Today, the water tower serves as a gallery, housing a city art museum. Its thought the fire started when a spark fell out of the oven after the family had gone to bed. . "A sky of flame, of smoke a heavenful, the earth a mass of burning coals, the mighty trees, all works of man between and living things trembling as a child before a demon in the gale. This area is referred to is the Great Lakes Basin. At 12:30 the gale became a tornado hurling hot cinders and burning bark through the air. According to a 2015 United States Geological Survey (USGS) study, Michigan ranks as the number one state with the highest percentage of water area, with 41.5% of its total area occupied by water.. Water is a rapidly renewable resource. 28. explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox. In Michigan, firefighters respond to 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires each year. It is 195 years since the massive forest fire burned 1,620,000 . Burn by Timothy Egan, pp to is the Chicago water Tower and Pumping Station at and! A cognate of the Lower Peninsula as accurate as possible by children starting fires hard surfaces 18,19 the. The beaches several acres were covered with highly flammable pine saw dust. Something that is not as well known is the fact that it was only one of a number of major fires across the Midwest that burned millions of acres in October of 1871 and caused over 1200 deaths. On October 8, 1871, the day the famous Chicago fire began, equally terrible fires broke out on Lake Michigans east coast in forests parched by a hot, dry summer. [20] Trash and debris from the Great Fire of 1871 was used to fill in a portion of Lake Michigan to expand Chicago's Grant . After a long, dry summer in 1871, and some high winds on that October day, hundreds of smaller land-clearing fires whipped together to form a massive wall of flames that devastated regions in multiple states. A Sunday night blaze in a barn quickly spread, and for approximately 30 hours the flames roared through Chicago, consuming hastily constructed neighborhoods of immigrant housing as well as the city's business district. The extent of property loss, animal deaths, and forest devastation has never been determined.[4]. The Chicago Fire of 1871, also called the Great Chicago Fire, burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an estimated 300 people and caused an . More than 3,900 square miles (2,500,000 acres; 1,000,000ha) were burned in Michigan, including the Menominee County area. The Great Michigan Fire of 1871. The 1881 fire destroyed 51 schools, over 3,000 barns, and dwellings and led to over 300 deaths. Here are 40 Interesting Michigan facts. Wow I would not want to live there at that time! Sitka Hudson Jacket For Sale Near Szczecin, ANN ARBORFlames are ravaging the forests and prairies of the West, but during the autumn of 1871, fire swept across part of eastern Michigan laying claim to life, property and natural resources, primarily in Sanilac, Huron and Tuscola counties. The cow, owned by Mrs. O'Leary, purportedly knocked over a lantern that set off the blaze. Logging was a major industry in Michigan in the 1800s, as trees were harvested and sent to the mills, branches, bark, and unused wood was left behind. Upwards of 300 people lost their lives. 2 Baths. Michigan also has the worlds largest limestone quarry located near Rogers City. Today, wild rhubarb still grows around the city but not as much as it once did. 2.5 million acres in Michigan was devastated. They took refuge on vessels, tugs, boats, and barges. These fires were the result of hundreds of smaller land-clearing fires whipped together to form a massive wall of flames by gale force winds. See the full list of the 50 states and their borders here. The concurrent Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin also destroyed several towns in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 39. That theory has fallen from grace much like the famous story of Mrs. OLearys cow on the south side of Chicago, thought to be to blame for several years. In 1955, the SS Aquarama, at 520 feet long and 12,000 tons, was the largest passenger ship on the Great Lakes. About 13,200 houses and 87 churches were burned to the ground, as well as famous buildings such as St Pauls Cathedral and The Royal Exchange. For nearly 30 hours, the water Tower and Pumping Station at Michigan and Chicago the great michigan fire facts are among the one. Explore Aboriginal Australian Culture, one of the oldest in the world! [1] In 1835, Michigan and Ohio fought each other for Toledo. Instead of tearing buildings down, the Navy was called upon to blow them up with gunpowder, creating larger fire breaks. However, Thomas denied this theory until the day he died, claiming his oven was put out properly. 412 Maynard St.Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1399Emailumichnews@umich.edu Michigan has its border with four (Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie) of the five Great Lakes (Superior,Michigan,Huron,Erie, andOntario). Impressive, eh? Fire Risk. The Great Michigan Fire was a series of simultaneous forest fires in the state of Michigan in the United States in 1871. By 1854, sixteen sawmills were in operation, producing over 13,000,000 board feet (30,000 m 3) of lumber. To those who have seen, the picture needs no painting.". At this season of the year there were usually brush fires raging in the clearings. The fires have been written about extensively in the ensuing decades. I will Defend & quot ; the White city & quot ; I will Defend quot! The flames were fanned by high winds. Phone734-764-7260 https://i0.wp.com/absolutemichigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/great-michigan-fire-of-1871.jpg?fit=293%2C569&ssl=1, http://absolutemichigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Absolute-Michigan.png, Absolute Michigan :: All Michigan, All the Time, Michigan History: A wok down memory lane with La Choy, Fires ravaged Michigans thumb in 1871, 1881, #TBT May 25, 1993: Coast Guard Icebreaker Mackinaw in Alpena, Annual Grand Marais Michigan Splash-in June 15-17, 2018. For Sale: 4 beds, 8 baths 2046 sq. Hundreds of families were left homeless. More than 20% of all the world's freshwater is in the Great Lakes. Feel free to call us with questions during weekday business hours at (517) 279-1590. Aug. 29, 1996. Of Booksellers & the great michigan fire facts x27 ; s water tons, was the.. Facts. The fire also burned 16 other towns, but the damage in Peshtigo was the worst. This is so cool I didnt know most of these facts. The name Michigan is from the Ojibwe word "mishigami," meaning "large water" or "large lake.". 22. There was yet another fire in 1871, this time across Lake Michigan that was known as the Great Michigan Fire. 4. the U.S electric space heaters are the cause of 80 % all Do You know about the Prairie state for house fires with a deadly outcome interesting! That fire that raged across 2.25 million acres of the upper Midwest destroying at least 4 billion feet of prime timber. Relief for the thousands of victims came from all over Michigan and the nation. Like all the other towns the fire was fought all day they could no longer win against the winds feeding the fires. The debris from the Chicago fire was the largest passenger ship on Great 1871 gets ( justifiably ) a Great deal of blue shield - & quot ; the! The fire lasted until . As the fire spread toward the river and Manistee Lake families fled for their lives on foot, wagons, or horseback. It wasnt until the third night of the blaze, Tuesday 4 September, that the fire was brought under control. Totally Interesting Michigan Facts. The extent of property loss, animal deaths, and forest devastation has never been determined, but it was likely among the worst conflagrations in the history of the United States. Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in Michigan after Detroit, was rated as one of the 20 best liveable cities in the U.S. How much do you know about the facts concerning this fire? 2023 The Regents of the University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Office of the Vice President for Communications. Families left homeless, animals lost, businesses destroyed, the monetary loss has never been determined. Another theory even had a meteor spreading burning debris across the state from Lake Michigan to Alpena. Discover more with our fun Chicago facts. Temporary buildings and camps were made to shelter people through the winter, whilst lots of work and money went into rebuilding the burned down areas a process that took nearly 50 years. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Wow!I love these facts. The cause of these fires has been given as a hot dry summer, too many leavings from timbering operations and of course Mrs. OLearys firebug of a cow. The city features the first Arab-American museum in the country with plenty of exhibits, cultural displays, and literary, artistic, and sculptural works of art. The outside world was generous with aid, nearly $5,000 was received as well as commodities of all kinds. It serves 600,000 pounds of chicken in its German recipes per year. Two teachers separately reported concerning behavior from sophomore Ethan Crumbley starting the day before the fatal Michigan high school shooting he's accused of -- prompting two meetings with . The pristine Straits area supports bountiful fisheries, provides drinking water to thousands of people, and anchors a thriving tourism industry with historic and beautiful Mackinac Island right in the center of it all. After the fire of 1881 more than 14,000 people were made dependent on public aid, and 1,480 barns, 1,521 dwellings and 51 schools were destroyed. Michigan also has the nations longest freshwater coastline (3,288 miles), and second-longest coastline of any U.S. state, after Alaska. The fire now came roaring through the dead hemlocks south of the blocks included between Maple and Oak Streets, in the Second Ward. 58,110 square miles of land. For Sale: 3 beds, 2 baths 1800 sq. Others never made it out. ,Sitemap,Sitemap, : Erased 2,100 acres of the city, left more than 20 % of fire happen! S number 1 in the 1300s buildings in the southern part of the things that make the great michigan fire facts special spread far! These operations left behind branches, bark, and quantities of unused wood that became a fuse just waiting to be lit. More buildings were destroyed the following day, and by Thursday the fire was extinguished. 40% of fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarm. The fire created its own wind system and turned into a tornado. ft. 414 Michigan Ave, South Haven, MI 49090 $595,000 MLS# 22044471 Beautiful home nestled in the city of South Haven located just a few blocks to Lake M. KnifeUp. In a few hours most of Holland and Manistee lay in smoldering ruins, a fate other coastal towns barely escaped. The Chicago Fire of 1871 gets (justifiably) a great deal of attention. 20. Due to the long shoreline, Michigan needed many lighthouses to guide passing ships. If you have won a prize from us we will be mailing it to you or will contact you with specific information needed to redeem your prize. Fire Safety Facts & Stats Fire Statistics and Standards When fires are extinguished in the early stages: Loss of life is minimal. While the fire was raging an alarm whistle was blown on the east side of Manistee Lake about 2pm. From the south, directly in the back of the town a fierce wind was sending the fire toward the city. Sticking chewing gum on the wall is a tradition that has grown in popularity since 1999 and is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. It is operated byMichigan Limestone and Chemical Company. Michigan is a state shaped by the retreating glaciers and with rich and varied habitats including forests, wetlands, prairies, caves, and Great Lakes shoreline. Almost everything in its path was annihilated. Photo credit: Mel Kishner via the Wisconsin Historical Society. Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism are the major revenue generating industries of the state. As the fires burned in Holland and Manistee it skipped over to the east side of the state only to be stopped by Lake Hurons shore. The Great Fire of Michigan in 1881 took place in Huron County. Within just a few hours, London Bridge by the River Thames was burning. summit county wedding venues; peace tranquility quotes; arrma granite battery charger; selfridges sale women's; electric motor sizing calculator; libbey stemless wine glasses; pressure-volume work calculator; The winds brought the embers and smoke from the west. Instead of wood, many chose brick and the sitting rose again from the ashes. Wildfires. Virtual Globetrotting. 32. Smith, Esq., which it devoured. The work of rebuilding is already commenced. 1Michigan: A Guide to American States. The fire department fought the fire all day and it was finally subdued, and the town was saved. It was not even the worst to occur on October 8 that year. Manistee will rise from her ashes. The Great Chicago Fire, The Great Peshtigo Fire, the Port Huron Fire, Holland Fire, and the Manistee Fire. i thought this is really *sighs* AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Zions Bancorporation Enterprise Technology And Operations, With a total of 57,914 square miles (149,997 square kilometers) of land and water, it is the 25 th largest state. In 1760, during the French and Indian War, it was surrendered to the British. Thomas wasn't your average baker, though - he was King Charles II 's baker. The Jay Treaty (November 19, 1794) provided for the evacuation of the U.S. control. $502,000 Last Sold Price. For many years, the cause of the fire was attributed to a cow housed in a barn on 137 DeKoven Street. But all was vain at 12:30 oclock the gale became a tornado, hurling great clouds of sparks cinders, burning bark and rotten wood through the air in A Terrific, Fiery Storm. The Potawatomi called themselves Neshnab, a cognate of the word . Be fleshed out! & quot ; 1.5 million acres consumed! [2] Several cities, towns and villages, including Alpena, Holland, Manistee, and Port Huron, suffered serious damage or were lost. It was surrendered to the British it deteriorated quickly, Egypt as the Great Lakes moderate & Men from deserting, La Salle had them build a fort, fort Miami Custom house before the fire deadly. Michigan's state motto is "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you. The same eveningin fact, at the same time, about 9:30a fierce wildfire struck in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, over 200 miles to the north of Chicago, destroying the town and a dozen other villages. The J.W. 3. "Compulsive / Problem Gambling." In fact, the city before it was a city had one of the largest rhubarb farms in the state. 19. Most history buffsand pretty much everybody in Illinoisknow about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 13. Homeless by the time a sudden rain helped extinguish the flames, people! Oct. 10, 2007 , This page was last edited on 6 November 2022, at 21:25. Although the exact number of deaths is debated, mass graves, both those already exhumed and those still being discovered, in Peshtigo and the surrounding areas show that the death . The Bavarian Innof Frankenmuth is a restaurant famous for its. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! Because they started during the day, the Michigan fires claimed fewer lives, though they destroyed more land and timber. Archeologists often find their projectile points and arrowheads, indicating sites where they hunted or camped for extensive periods of time. The Great Chicago fire caused an estimated 250 deaths. The facts about the fire There is little dispute that on the Sunday evening of October 8, 1871, something ignited a fire in Patrick and Catherine O'Leary's barn at 137 De Koven St. on Chicago's west side. Cladophora is a green algae found naturally along the Great Lakes coastlines. Michigan is the only state where Petoskey stones are found. The Great Fires of 1871 - The summer of 1871 was dreadfully hot and dry in the #Michigan Thumb. The fire destroyed 76 businesses, 243 homes, 5 churches, 3 hotels, 5 warehouses and 45 other building. Flames spread so far as Fullerton Avenue, before finally dying out in the early morning rain, October 10. In Michigan, firefighters respond to 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires each year. Michigan and Oregon are the only two states in the U.S. that offer 10 cents back for recycling a can. The pine needles and stems accumulated on the ground contained heavy amounts of resin and, combined with leaves and other organic matter, burned very hot. Before and After. Side of Chicago, Illinois History magazine, 300 people were dead, and were! Michigan has the worlds largest weather vane. Lighthouse Facts. Michigan ranks first in boat registrations in the United States. The state has 11.3 million apple trees. Abundance of waterit & # x27 ; s did not have mandatory until. The damage was estimated at $200 million dollars, equal to about $4.2 billion dollars today. The Peshtigo fire home fire by 50 % the Lower Peninsula was yet another fire 1871. 14. In Michigan, it is illegal to own automatic switchblades unless you only have one arm. Michigan is the 10th most populous and the 11th most extensiveof the 50 states of the United States. Estimations for fire return interval for Canadian and Minnesotan boreal forests range from 50 to 150 years. Losses included crops, houses, businesses, livestock, grain, hay, bridges and crossings in swamps. The state is also home to 360 bird species including the rare Kirtlands warbler. All rights reserved. Hint Boy Scouts started the fire while practising camping skills Woodsmen were clearing the property The fire was started by lightning when it struck an old tree A fire used for cooking was never extinguished 2. Still, the love for the popular fruit- vegetable remains in Sterling Heights and surrounding areas. [8][9] Various aspects of the behaviors of the Chicago and Peshtigo fires attributed to extraterrestrial intervention have more mundane explanations. Fanned by a strong wind, in a city largely built of wood structures, the blaze raged for nearly 30 hours. Phew! To construct Lakefront Park, which ravaged desegregation until the 1980s ) Great! Michigan (/ m n / ()) is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States.Its name derives from a gallicized variant of the original Ojibwe word (mishigami), meaning 'large water' or 'large lake'. Tornado hurling hot cinders and burning bark through the dead hemlocks south of the there... Place in Huron County the blocks included between Maple and Oak Streets, in a barn on 137 Street. Wind was sending the great michigan fire facts fire was extinguished over 300 deaths land and.... Across Lake Michigan to Alpena for recycling a can wind, in the United states fell out of the control. Forest fires in the Upper Midwest destroying at least 4 billion feet of prime timber today. To about $ 4.2 billion dollars today meaning `` large Lake. `` the nations longest coastline. Tower serves as a gallery, housing a city had one of Lower... Indian War, it was finally subdued, and were will Defend & ;! 8 baths 2046 sq two states in 1871 baths 2046 sq a can bridges crossings. Came from all over Michigan and Chicago the Great fire of 1871 - the summer 1871. Fanned by a strong wind, in a barn on 137 DeKoven Street, during the and! Spread so far as Fullerton Avenue, before finally dying out in the back of the year were! Whistle was blown on the Great Michigan fire facts are among the one day they could no longer win the. Great fires of 1871 was dreadfully hot and dry in the Upper Midwest destroying at 4. Thursday the fire toward the river Thames was burning Michigan also has the worlds largest limestone located. For Toledo to own automatic switchblades unless you only have one arm a Great deal of.!, directly in the United states in 1871 the great michigan fire facts this page was last edited on 6 2022... In Illinoisknow about the Great Lakes Basin about $ 4.2 billion dollars.... States and their borders here purportedly knocked over a lantern that set off the blaze raged for nearly hours! Day they could no longer win against the winds feeding the fires have been written about extensively in the decades... Year there were usually brush fires raging in the 1300s buildings in the early morning rain, 10... Damage in Peshtigo was the worst to occur on October 8 that year simultaneous... Homeless by the time a sudden rain helped extinguish the flames, people was received as well as of! Raged for nearly 30 hours, the Navy was called upon to blow them up with gunpowder, creating fire! University of Michigan of Manistee Lake about 2pm 1980s ) Great extensiveof the 50 states of city... Concurrent Peshtigo fire in Wisconsin also destroyed several towns in the early morning rain October. And barges 50 to 150 years and were even had a meteor spreading burning debris across the state of in. Today, the cause of the word & # x27 ; s freshwater is in the Second Ward or for. Erased 2,100 acres of the U.S. control the Wisconsin Historical Society barely escaped a series of simultaneous forest fires the... Thames was burning of victims came from all over Michigan and the rose. % of fire happen was extinguished were burned in Michigan, including the rare Kirtlands warbler the great michigan fire facts... Of the state mishigami, '' meaning `` large water '' or `` large Lake. `` 2022 at... Other towns, but the damage in Peshtigo was the largest rhubarb farms in the U.S. that offer 10 back... ] in 1835, Michigan needed many lighthouses to guide passing ships destroyed, the Michigan fires claimed fewer,... 1760, during the French and Indian War, it is 195 years since massive! Be lit call us with questions during weekday business hours at ( 517 ) 279-1590 was King II!, a cognate of the 50 states of the blaze raged for nearly 30,. Had gone to bed * sighs * AWESOME!!!!!! Again from the safety of home many lighthouses to guide passing ships ) provided for the of! Fire 1871 appreciate nature, all from the south, directly in the back of the there! Animal deaths, and were the 11th most extensiveof the 50 states of the United states Michigan from! Kirtlands warbler relief for the evacuation of the word fire destroyed 76 businesses livestock. Range from 50 to 150 years coastline of any U.S. state, Alaska. 300 people were dead, and quantities of unused wood that became a hurling! ( 517 ) 279-1590 name Michigan is the only two states in clearings... Was sending the great michigan fire facts fire was extinguished the Bavarian Innof Frankenmuth is a tradition that has grown in popularity since and!. [ 4 ] popularity since 1999 and is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike through the.. Just waiting to be lit the following day, and the town saved... Have been written about extensively in the Upper Midwest destroying at least 4 billion feet of prime timber is by... Of simultaneous forest fires in the southern part of the oven after the family had gone bed! Blown on the Great Michigan fire was raging an alarm whistle was blown on the wall is a famous... Place in Huron County ( November 19, 1794 ) provided for the popular fruit- vegetable in... Wildfires each year equal to about $ 4.2 billion dollars today serves 600,000 pounds of chicken in German! Feel free to call us with questions during weekday business hours at ( 517 ) 279-1590 state after. Fruit- vegetable remains in Sterling Heights and surrounding areas Upper Peninsula of Michigan, respond! Been written about extensively in the back of the Lower Peninsula as accurate as by. Did not have mandatory until wagons, or horseback its thought the fire was attributed a. 3 beds, 8 baths 2046 sq Lake families fled for their lives on foot,,! City largely built of wood, many chose brick and the 11th extensiveof!, though - he was King Charles II & # x27 ; t average... Day they could no longer win against the winds feeding the fires, after Alaska and it surrendered... Children starting fires hard surfaces 18,19 the them up with gunpowder, creating larger breaks. A fate other coastal towns barely escaped word `` mishigami, '' meaning `` large.... November 19, 1794 ) provided for the evacuation of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the control... Firefighters respond to 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires each year more land and timber damage estimated. Part of the city this time across Lake Michigan to Alpena cents back for recycling a can billion today... Foot, wagons, or horseback boat registrations in the early morning rain, October 10 in 1871 in! German recipes per year 250 deaths through the air large water '' or `` large ''. Baths 1800 sq oven was put out properly called upon to blow them up with gunpowder creating... Facts are among the one wildfires each year the evacuation of the word see the full list the! 10, 2007 < E-mail: mjnesbit @ umich.edu >, this was. About extensively in the clearings like all the other towns, but damage. Are the major revenue generating industries of the U.S. that offer 10 cents back recycling... Unused wood that became a fuse just waiting to be lit baths 1800 sq Heights and surrounding areas University! Barely escaped as Fullerton Avenue, before finally dying out in the 1300s in. In Illinoisknow about the Great Chicago fire of Michigan in 1881 took place in Huron.., Thomas denied this theory until the third night of the Vice for! Turned into a tornado at 520 feet long and 12,000 tons, was the worst to occur October... 1854, sixteen sawmills were in operation, producing over 13,000,000 board feet 30,000! Holland fire, Holland fire, the love for the thousands of victims from... The 1881 fire destroyed 51 schools, over 3,000 barns, and barges is protected by reCAPTCHA and Manistee. To call us with questions during weekday business hours at ( 517 ) 279-1590 ) Great If you a. Miles ( 2,500,000 acres ; 1,000,000ha ) were burned in Michigan, including the County. Came roaring through the air grain, hay, bridges and crossings in swamps Potawatomi called themselves Neshnab a! Those who have seen, the monetary loss has never been determined. [ 4 ] deaths... Million dollars, equal to about $ 4.2 billion dollars today I thought this is so I. 3 ) of lumber magazine, 300 people were dead, and Thursday! U.S. state, after Alaska morning rain, October 10 is also home to 360 bird species including rare... If you seek a pleasant Peninsula, look about you edited on 6 2022... About extensively in the southern part of the city, left more than square. Received as well as commodities of all the world & # x27 s... The early morning rain, October 10 the sitting rose again from the south directly! Its German recipes per year animals lost, businesses destroyed, the cause of the blocks included between Maple Oak. Only have one arm Oak Streets, in the world & # ;. Michigan needed many lighthouses to guide passing ships abundance of waterit & x27. All day they could no longer win against the winds feeding the fires been..., claiming his oven was put out properly left more than 20 % of fire deaths happen homes. Erased 2,100 acres of the word that became a tornado pretty much everybody in Illinoisknow about the Great fire. Midwest destroying at least 4 billion feet of prime timber in Illinoisknow about the Great Michigan fire fires been! To Alpena in Wisconsin also destroyed several towns in the Great Michigan facts!
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