Windham Fires - Part 1
by Pete Zizka

5-6-2023
 
The location of the large brush fire in North Windham in April, 2023 reminded me of some old stories that I had read years ago about some very large forest fires  that had occurred in and around that same area. These days, thankfully, we can depend on the diligent efforts of modern-day fire departments with up-to-date equipment but imagine what things must have been like in the late 1800s. Over the years, newspaper reports told of many fires in the North Windham area, particularly along the railroad tracks that paralleled Boston Post Road. Oftentimes these fires would be driven up through the ledges and sometimes reached as far as Frog Pond. One fire in early April, 1882 was believed to have started by farmers who were burning off brush in their fields. But, about two weeks later, the Chronicle reported that,”(Q)uite an extensive fire raged south of the North Windham village Monday afternoon and evening, caused by sparks from a train engine. The dry pine tops and fierce gale of Monday afternoon furnished both food and force to the flames, and they were soon beyond control.” That fire endangered several buildings along Beaver Hill Road and it was only due to the great efforts of neighbors that the buildings were saved. The house and barn of Charles H. Buckingham stood near the woods and the wind carried sparks from the raging flames to the barn roof and ignited it. “Mr. Buckingham was laboring at another part of his farm and before he could get to the burning premises the barn was wrapped in flames. It spread to the house, which stood contiguous, and in a short time both buildings were completely destroyed.” A barn owned by Jason Rathbun located in what was then known as Ballyhack almost caught fire several times but was saved from burning. Another farmer lost 200 cords of cut wood. The fire was finally stopped in the vicinity of what was then known as “Follett’s Pond”, today’s Frog Pond. It was later determined that the fire had spread over a thousand acres and had damaged quite a bit of property. Since the New York and New England Railroad was found at fault, it was made to pay damages to twelve different property owners. In August, 1882 an extensive forest fire burned for nearly a week along the line of the New York and New England railroad, between Willimantic and North Windham. It burned over a large wooded tract and caused considerable damage. As with the earlier fire, sparks from an engine were believed to have been the cause. As bad as the April, 1882 fire was, though, it was eclipsed in 1896 by two gigantic fires which occurred on the same day. Both began in Willimantic and spread into North Windham and Windham Center to the Franklin town line. At that time. There were pine woods between ATCO’s Number Four Mill and the river. The fire started in the woods and quickly burned through the  woods and underbrush until it reached an open lot near Rec Park. The fire then spread to the bank of the Shetucket river and began following along the river. Near Lovers Lane, however, the wind blew the flames across the river and the fire started through the woods. The wind also blew the flames across Lovers Lane and soon the fire was roaring through the mowing lots along the Plains destroying crops, grass and fences. It was slowed down when it reached a stonewall where a dirt path also crossed the woods at the foot of a hill near Windham Center. ”It is doubtful if it would have stopped there but for a party of Windham men who beat it with brush and brooms”. Smoke and sparks from the blaze blew into Windham Center “in great clouds” and there was fear that the fire could take hold in the village. “Most of the male population of the village were out all afternoon fighting the fire and but for the work they did, some of the houses on Lovers Lane would have absolutely been burned. Back on the other side of the river, the flames were advancing into South Windham and proceeded along the river as far as Bingham’s Bridge which was at the Franklin town line. The Chronicle reported that, ”The fire ran into the pine grove at the top of the hill on the north side of Bingham’s Bridge and when the reporter of the Chronicle drove by it in the afternoon, the pine trees made a grand sight all ablaze at the top”. Today’s photo is from1900 and shows (from left) : Jarrius Smith, William Swift, Rufus Huntington, William Wales, Henry Page, Edward Burnham, Rufus Rood, Andrew Frink, Charles Larrabee, Charles Rood and William Rood.



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