Patricia Gregory reminiscence of 1918 Fire

Collection — Box: SC

Identifier: S6072

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Reminiscence related to two families victimized by the Moose Lake-Cloquet Forest Fire of 1918 when it burned Hermantown, near Duluth. The families were Oscar and Rosa Fichtner and Anton and Emilie Klosowsky. These people were the writer's great grand parents; her mother's family.

The fire occurred on October 12, 13, 1918, virtually obliterating thirty-eight communities and 1,500 square miles. More than 450 people were killed outright, 52,000 more were injured or displaced, and property valued at upwards of $73 million was destroyed. The stories of survivors have been told for generation in Minnesota.

Dates

2003

Creator

Gregory, Patricia (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use in the Kathryn A. Martin Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Patricia Gregory is the great granddaughter of the two Hermantown families affected by the Moose Lake-Cloquet fire of 1918 whose experience she is describing. Ms. Gregory wrote what she had been told. The writer did not personally experience the fire event. The writer, living in Oklahoma in 2003, sent this reminiscence to another person who was compiling information.

Reminiscence related to two families victimized by the Moose Lake-Cloquet Forest Fire of 1918 when it burned Hermantown, near Duluth. The families were Oscar and Rosa Fichtner and Anton and Emilie Klosowsky. These people were the writer's great grand parents; her mother's family.

The fire occurred on October 12, 13, 1918, virtually obliterating thirty-eight communities and 1,500 square miles. More than 450 people were killed outright, 52,000 more were injured or displaced, and property valued at upwards of $73 million was destroyed. The stories of survivors have been told for generation in Minnesota.

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Physical Location

This collection is located at the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives. For more information about this collection or to make an appointment, contact us at libarchives@d.umn.edu or 218-726-8526.

General

This collection is part of the Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections, which are housed in the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives at the Kathryn A. Martin Library.