Contributed by:
Dick
Bayerl
I was born in Menominee
and grew up in Birch Creek. I am always interested in historical
information about Birch Creek
and about the Peshtigo
Fire.
When I was in Menominee
recently I stopped by the spot on Old 41 where it is said 14 fire victims
were buried and 14 lilacs
were planted as
a memorial. It is interesting that we grew up on a farm just a couple
miles away from the site and none of my
brothers or sisters
knows anything about it. I would imagine that our Grandparents and
parents would have known about it back
around 1900 but
I dont recall ever hearing about it from them. My Grandfather, Joseph
Bayerl, and his parents and two brothers
came to the area
around 1882. The following photos show a large lilac planting which I believe
is the site of the graves.
Do you have more information about this? Please contact: Dick Bayerl
Could this list include the 14 buried at the Lilac Memorial? Researched and contributed by Dick Bayerl added 2004 Transcription of above record by Dick Bayerl:
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Inside the Lilac Memorial Planting photo by Dick Bayerl July 2003 |
Stones inside the Lilac Memorial Planting photo by Dick Bayerl July 2003 |
Looking South at the Lilac Memorial Planting photo by Dick Bayerl July 2003 |
Lilac Memorial Planting looking toward Birch Creek photo by Dick Bayerl July 2003 |
Looking north from County Road 5.25. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |
Looking east from the field behind the lilacs. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |
Another looking east showing the blooming better. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |
Looking south from the field. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |
A close up looking east from the field. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |
Another view looking south from the road side. Photo June, 2004 by Jan Callow |