This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Chicago and Peshtigo Fire Anniversary Retold
Editor notes mark a century since the Chicago fire of October 8 1871 and the Peshtigo blaze in Wisconsin that killed about 1200. The Chicago tale details wind driven destruction, mayoral response, and the famous O Leary cow folklore. The Peshtigo section recalls a vast timber fire that left ashes, charred refugees, and uncertain deaths across 1000 square miles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Wisconsin
O’leary
Peshtigo
Wis
R.B. Mason
Patrick
Catherine O'Leary
O'Leary
Chicago Fire Department
Lake Michigan
United States
Galveston
Tex
Johnstown
Peshtigo River
Sugar Bush
Green Bay
Door Peninsula
Chicago To