Comments on: Great Thumb Forest Fire

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:37:00 +0000

I learned of the thumb fires while doing barn demolition in Hadley (Lapeer Co.) several years ago. We were speculating how old the barn was and the owner said it couldn’t be older than 1881 due to the fires. He told us the story, as he knew it, of how everything was lost for as far as the eye could see. I did my own research later and learned of this piece of Michigan history that was long forgotten by most people. I’m moving to the area next year and will do my best to learn and pass along the history of the area.

By: Hissong

Hissong — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:16:04 +0000

My Grandfather, Alex Miller, lived through the Great Thumb fire. He was 4 yrs old living on a farm outside the town of Port Sanilac when the fire swept through the area. His father, mother and two brothers were able to make there way to the lake. They lost everything. They moved to town and lived there after the fire. They had nothing. No money and only their father’s labor to pay their farm debts. He eventually had to leave school at age 11 and go to work to help support the family. And we think we have it rough. They didn’t file for bankruptcy back then, nor did they have unemployment, welfare or any kind of Medicare, yet they survived.

By: Thompson

Thompson — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:24:24 +0000

I find it very interesting that Dan became a firefighter when he grew up. The Stories told to him by his great grandmother and his grandparents must have really influenced him. I can’t imagine bears, deer and other animals standing in water along with humans, but survival is an instinct. That must have been an amazing site. I camp in Port Hope twice a year and the plaque on the chimney there tells some of the story.

By: Howard

Howard — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:12:15 +0000

Great story I did not know about this fire.

Thank you

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:53:26 +0000

That was an interesting read, I didn’t know any of that! Keep up the good work guys!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:31:36 +0000

I grew up in Sanilac County. I heard stories from my grandparents and great-grandmother. They lowered people into wells (women and children) the men tried to fight the fire. Stories were told where the fire had driven man and animal into Lake Huron near Port Sanilac. Bear, deer, cattle and man stood in the water together watching the fury of the fire. As a child I would listen wide eyed. Now I am Firefighter and have seen just a glimpse of what that fire most have been.