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The Great Fire of Michigan Trivia Quiz

The Great Fire of Michigan in 1881 took place in Huron County. How much do you know about the facts concerning this fire? Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by johnandjodi. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
johnandjodi

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
295,123

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
365

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Great Fire of Michigan took place in Huron County in 1881. This fire was started by what? Hint

Woodsmen were clearing the property

The fire was started by lightning when it struck an old tree

Boy Scouts started the fire while practising camping skills

A fire used for cooking was never extinguished

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Question 2 of 10

2. When did the fire take place? Hint

September, 1881

May, 1882

May, 1881

June, 1881

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many lives were lost in the Great Michigan Fire of 1881? Hint

Over 10,000 people

About 280 people

About 5,750 people

None

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Question 4 of 10

4. Mrs. Richard Elliot of Five Lakes was burned to death in the woods while trying to do what? Hint

Put the fire out

Save her children

Escape the fire

Save her home

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Question 5 of 10

5. The entire Indian settlement in Buena Vista Township was swept away by the fire. How many families lived at the settlement. Hint

About 15

About 40

About 5

About 50

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Question 6 of 10

6. What were the primary crop destroyed by the Great Fire of Michigan? Hint

oats and wheat

corn and wheat

barley and corn

barley and oats

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Great Fire of Michigan burned out before reaching Richmondville, Michigan.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. The fire of 1881 in Michigan was the most damaging fire in Michigan's history. What year did the second most damaging fire occur? Hint

1923

1871

1956

1771

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Question 9 of 10

9. Telegraph messages were sent requesting assistance in stopping the fire. How many responded? Hint

Approximatley 6,000 men

All local firemen

No one, all communication was down

Approximately 500 men, which was not enough

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Richmond family of six, including a 1 year old baby, was saved when they jumped into a well 12 feet deep with 2 feet of water in the bottom.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Great Fire of Michigan took place in Huron County in 1881. This fire was started by what?

Answer: Woodsmen were clearing the property

The fire was actually started by woodsmen who were clearing the property. A high wind came up and and blew the fire out of control.

2. When did the fire take place?

Answer: September, 1881

The fire started in September, 1881. It burned through portions of the 'thumb' in Michigan.

3. How many lives were lost in the Great Michigan Fire of 1881?

Answer: About 280 people

Municipal buildings were rebuilt using brick to hold up disaster. Over 1 million acres of land were devastated in this fire. Along with the approximate number of 280 people who were burned alive, thousands more were left destitute. The fire caused more than $2,250,000 worth of damage.

4. Mrs. Richard Elliot of Five Lakes was burned to death in the woods while trying to do what?

Answer: Escape the fire

The "Detroit Evening News" Sept. 6, 1881 reported: Mrs. Richard ELLIOT of Five Lakes was burned to death in the woods last night, while fleeing from her house to that of a neighbor, she having been driven out by the forest fires which raged around her home.

5. The entire Indian settlement in Buena Vista Township was swept away by the fire. How many families lived at the settlement.

Answer: About 40

Two men narrowly escaped with their lives, but had severe injuries.

6. What were the primary crop destroyed by the Great Fire of Michigan?

Answer: oats and wheat

F. Ritter, a farmer in Bloomfield Township, lost 600 bushels of oats, 250 bushels of wheat, 200 bushels of barley, a quantity of hay and all his farm implements. Most farms in the area were burned to the ground.

7. The Great Fire of Michigan burned out before reaching Richmondville, Michigan.

Answer: False

Richmondville was completely destroyed, only one building remaining. Seven lives were lost and one other person badly burned. John Lee, wife and mother, and Abram Thorton, wife and son, were: the two latter jumped into a well. Two girls named Sharkey and Winters and an old man named Winters died of severe burns. Men say the fire consumed buildings in ten minutes after it struck them.

8. The fire of 1881 in Michigan was the most damaging fire in Michigan's history. What year did the second most damaging fire occur?

Answer: 1871

In the summer of 1871, a drought occurred over much of the Great Lakes region. Slash and debris from logging and land clearing became tinder-dry during the months without rain. Set carelessly or by settlers in clearing land, fires burned everywhere, and ran uncontrolled into the woods and swamps where they continued to smolder.

9. Telegraph messages were sent requesting assistance in stopping the fire. How many responded?

Answer: No one, all communication was down

Communication at that time was out due to the telegraph system being cut off by the fire.

10. The Richmond family of six, including a 1 year old baby, was saved when they jumped into a well 12 feet deep with 2 feet of water in the bottom.

Answer: False

The Richmond family of six did jump into a well 12 feet deep with 2 feet of water. Unfortunately, the family was killed when the boards covering the top of the well collapsed. The baby drowned in the water and the rest of the family burned to death.

Source: Author johnandjodi

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