City of Peshtigo: A Brief History

Early Settlement (1830s–1860s)

The area that would become the City of Peshtigo was first settled around 1838. The Peshtigo River carried majestic white pines from the northern forests to Lake Michigan, making river transport the principal way to move logs. Sawmills and wood-products shops fueled a bustling frontier economy that shaped the young community. Wood products and manufacturing continue to provide important employment in and around Peshtigo today.

1871: The Great Peshtigo Fire

On October 8, 1871—the same day as the Chicago Fire—catastrophic fires swept across Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Peshtigo suffered the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history, with tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. While national attention often focused on Chicago, the impact in Peshtigo was far greater.

Peshtigo was "Reborn from the ashes of America’s deadliest wildfire". For a fuller account of the 1871 fire, explore these resources:

The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871

Peshtigo Chamber of Commerce – History

Peshtigo Times – The Peshtigo Fire

Rebuilding & Incorporation (1870s–1903)

Out of the ashes, residents rebuilt homes, mills, businesses, churches, and schools. The community formally incorporated as a Village in 1887 and as a City in 1903, reflecting its steady growth and civic organization.

Growth Through the 20th Century

Throughout the 1900s, Peshtigo diversified—expanding manufacturing and small businesses while maintaining strong ties to forestry, paper, and other wood-related industries. Community institutions, parks, and public safety services grew alongside the city’s neighborhoods and commercial districts.

Peshtigo Today

Today, Peshtigo is a resilient, close-knit city known for its hardworking people, excellent public services, and easy access to the river and surrounding natural areas. The city continues to honor its past while planning responsibly for the future—supporting safe neighborhoods, a healthy business climate, and stewardship of the waterways and lands that define Peshtigo’s character.