They Ran Like Mad: The 1908 Metz Fire and Northern Michigan’s Burning Year

About this episode

This episode explores the devastating Metz Fire of 1908 in northern Michigan through reports and personal accounts.

In October 1908, northern Michigan burned. The Metz Fire destroyed a village, killed dozens and left hundreds homeless. At the same time, fires threatened communities near Alpena, Traverse City and Sault Ste. Marie, where ashes fell on the water “as if from a volcano.” This episode follows the fire through newspaper reports and the firsthand escape account of Mildred Swan, a Bay City teacher who ran through burning orchards and fences to survive. The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications

People in this episode

Host: Thumbwind Publications

Topics covered

• historical events
• wildfires
• Michigan history
• survival stories
• community impact

Keywords

• Metz Fire
• northern Michigan
• wildfires
• Mildred Swan
• historical events
• survival
• community impact

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Michigan, Bay City, Alpena, Traverse City, Sault Ste. Marie

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