Peshtigo Fire Cemetery

Peshtigo Fire Cemetery is a burial ground at the intersection of Oconto Avenue and North Ellis Avenue containing both individual marked graves and a mass burial site. The grounds hold the remains of over 300 unidentified victims alongside separately marked graves for identified individuals from the 1871 disaster.

The cemetery was established after the devastating fire of 1871 that swept through Wisconsin and killed thousands of people. The Wisconsin State Historical Society placed one of its earliest official historical markers here to commemorate what became the deadliest fire in American history.

The cemetery serves as a place of remembrance for families who lost loved ones in the 1871 fire. Walking through the grounds, visitors can read individual names on markers and connect with the personal stories of people who died in the disaster.

The cemetery is located at a clearly marked intersection and is straightforward to visit. Information plaques are posted throughout the grounds to help visitors understand the site and the stories of those buried there.

Many of the unidentified victims lie in a single large communal grave because their remains were too damaged to be individually identified. Despite this, they were buried with care and respect, making the mass grave a powerful focal point of remembrance today.

Location: Peshtigo

GPS coordinates: 45.05635,-87.75413

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23