Report on the Michigan Forest Fires of 1881 by William Bailey O., first published in 1882, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

Significant Michigan forest fires from 1871 through 1911. Features the Metz Fire of 1908 and the Ausable-Oscoda Fire of 1911.

It is unimaginable to picture whole cities burning, much less whole counties, but that was the case in 1871, and then remarkably, ten years later again in 1881. The whole Michigan Thumb suffered two disastrous fires. The Thumb Fire of 1881 brought the American Red Cross to the first major disaster they brought relief to. The combination of the two fires marked the end of the lumber industry in the Thumb and the clearing of the land for agriculture. But that was the only benefit, as each fire brought over 200 dead, tens of thousands homeless, and thousands suffering burns, inhalation, smoke blindness, and more from the fires.

A perfect companion to Michigan Trees

Huron County, Michigan, was organized by the Michigan legislature in 1859 and quickly became known for its abundant natural resources-in particular, lumber. In the summer of 1881, disaster struck, as 1,500 square miles of forest burned. Huron County rose again, replacing lumbering with agriculture as its major industry. This agricultural tradition, along with commercial fishing, continues to this day. In Huron County, Michigan the Huron County Historical Society showcases the histories of the communities of Bad Axe, Bay Port and Ora Labora, Caseville, Elkton, Harbor Beach and Port Hope, Pigeon, Port Austin, Sebewaing, Ubly, and White Rock, using over 200 vintage photographs. Stop by the Caseville Mercantile or visit the old Caseville High School. Go back in time to the 1933 Sebewaing Farmers and Merchants parade that wound its way through the downtown area. A 1920s Prohibition scene comes to life in Bad Axe as Deputy Duncan McKenzie dumps illegal whiskey into the sewer at the site of today's "old City Hall."