The Peshtigo Firestorm-- Part 2: Deadliest Fire Ever in the U.S.

This list is compiled by the United States Geological Survey.

2.  Johnstown, Pennsylvania, flood of 1889 which killed 2,200 people.

3.  Peshtigo, Wisconsin, forest fire which killed 1,200 people.

4.  San Francisco earthquake of 1906 which killed 700 people.

5.  The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 which went through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana and killed 695 people.

The authors of the book believe that the real Peshtigo death toll was over 2,500.  regardless, it still remains the deadliest fire in U.S. history.

--DaCoot

The Peshtigo Firestorm-- Part 1: One of Top Five Deadliest Disasters In U.S.

From the book "Firestorm At Peshtigo" by Denise Gess and William Lutz.

I have been writing a lot about this fire in my Saw the Elephant: Civil War Blog this past month.  I also just wrote about it in my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II Blog today.

Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and towns around it burned down October 8, 1871 in an unbelievably horrific fire and between 1,500 and 2,500 people were killed.  Unfortunately, there was another, better known fire that day called the Great Chicago Fire so Peshtigo did not get much into the news.

This is considered as one of the top five deadliest disasters in U.S. history

1.  Galveston, Texas, hurricane of 1900, 6,000 to 8,000 people killed.

The Rest of the List In Next Post.  --Cooter

February 9, 1870: U.S. Weather Bureau

On February 9, 1870, the United States Weather Bureau was established.

What would the Weather Channel do without it.

Of particular interest to me as I have just finished reading "Firestorm in Peshtigo" which took place on October 8, 1871, in Wisconson, just a short time later.  This was the worst fire in U.S. history both in size and scope, but as well as in number of victims.

And, as a weather event, had the Weather Bureau been further along in its development, might it have been able to warn the people to evacuate?

Sadly, it is almost always overlooked because of the Great Chicago Fire which took place on the same day.

--Cooter

Ten Unforgettable Stories That History Forgot

Well, mostly forgot.  Perhaps overlooked would be a better word.

From the December 27, 2010, Listverse.  As always, interesting bits of information with pictures.  I essentially just list them.

10.  CAHOKIA--  Indian city in Illinois near St. Louis.

9.  SULTANA--  April 27, 1865 (the 148th anniversary of it today) Worst maritime disaster in US history.  An estimated 1800 of 2,400 aboard the SS Sultana died.

8.  ZIRYAB--  Slave who changed society.

7.  PESHTIGO--  Wisconsin fire October 8, 1871.  Deaths from 1200 to 2500, many more that the Chicago Fire which took place on the same date and is much better known.

6.  GIL EANNES--  Passing the point of no-return, this Portuguese explorer was the first to cross the equator.

Well, I hadn't heard of #8 and #6.

Five More, Of Course.  --Cooter