Baudette plans to commemorate 1910 fire

October 7, 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the Great Forest Fire of 1910 which raged across a vast area of Northern Minnesota. The fire destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land, leveled the town of Baudette and its sister village of Spooner (now East Baudette), and wiped out the communities of Pitt, Graceton and Cedar Spur. Approximately 40 people died and thousands were left homeless with winter fast approaching.
The 1910 Fire was one of the most significant forest fires in Minnesota history and as a direct result of this, catastrophe funds were approved by the the legislature to establish the Minnesota Forestry Service with its system of forest rangers and forestry districts. The Lake of the Woods Historical Society, in cooperation with the city of Baudette, Lake of the Woods County and other organization will hold a special weekend of observances October 7-10 in remembrance of this historic occasion.
Observances get under way on Thursday October 7 from 5:00-7:30pm with a Fire Survivors Fare Meal to be held at the Moose Lodge. The meal is sponsored by the LakeWood Health Center, the Baudette/Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce and the Moose Lodge. The menu of ham, biscuits, beans, canned peaches and coleslaw will replicate what survivors of the fire may have been served in 1910 by relief agencies. The meal is open to the public with a free will offering to be collected and all proceeds going to the Lake of the Woods Historical Society. At the meal, at 7:00pm, a brief program will feature special remarks by Mayor Rick Rone as well as words from descendants of fire survivors. Helga Smith, the only known living survivor of the fire, will also be recognized at the program.
That same evening at 6:00pm, the city sirens and church bells will ring signaling the moment that the fire was approaching the town 100 years ago.
This will be followed by a moment of silence. Immediately following the moment of silence a Fire Truck Parade will process down Main Avenue beginning at LakeWood Health Center and traveling north to the depot. The parade, with Helga Smith as its grand marshall, will feature current and old fire trucks and equipment from Baudette, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as well from neighboring communities. This will be a special tribute to these communities that played a vital role in the fire fighting that occurred on that day and the days that followed the Great
Fire of 1910. The public is encouraged to line the street and show their appreciation to these brave men and women who protect us today and a salute to those who did in the past.
The Lake of the Woods County Museum will be open Friday and Saturday, Oct 8 and 9 from 10am-4pm and will feature a special 1910 Fire Exhibit. The exhibit features numerous front page reproductions of the fire coverage that appeared in newspapers from across the state and even as far away as New York City. In addition to the exhibit the 1908 Lee Pony Printing Press will be printing commemorative copies of the October 13th issue of the Rainy River Region (the former name of the Baudette Region). On Saturday, those visiting the museum will have the opportunity to purchase a mug of 1890’s root beer in a commemorative 1910 Fire mug from the old Spooner bar. Mugs will be available for sale all weekend.
Poet and Baudette native, Kathleen Jesme will read from her book, “Fire Eater”, at 2:00pm at Jeri’s. The book, published in 2003, chronicles the 1910 Fire. She will also do readings on Saturday, Oct 9 at 11:00am at The Smiling Moon.
Saturday’s highlight will be the 1910 Fire Pageant to be held at 1:00pm at the First Congregational Church. The pageant will feature actors from
Pequana Playhouse retelling the stories of Fire Survivors. The pageant is being written and directed by Judy Gubbels. Lake of the Woods Woodland
A breakfast is on the agenda for Sunday morning, October 10 at the Brink Center from 8am-12:30 pm.
On Sunday afternoon, a Memorial Service will conclude the observances at Elm Park Cemetery. The service will be held near the historical marker and mass grave site. The mass grave is the final resting place for several of those who perished in the 1910 Fire. The service is being conducted by the local Ministerium and will include hymns, a sermon and wreath laying.
A special 1910 Fire Book will soon be released. The book was unable to be ready for the weekend, but a first copy will be available for viewing at the museum and orders will be taken over the weekend. The book is scheduled to be ready later this fall.