Mishawaka marks 153rd anniversary of Great Fire with historical marker

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- City officials and residents gathered Thursday to unveil a new historical marker commemorating the Great Mishawaka Fire of 1872.

The marker, located at the southeast corner of Lincolnway West and Mill Street across from City Hall, was proposed by city historian laureate Pete DeKever. The ceremony took place on the 153rd anniversary of the fire, which destroyed half of downtown Mishawaka.

Mayor Dave Wood and representatives from the Mishawaka Fire Department attended the unveiling.

“In Mishawaka, we really value our history, and so we take every opportunity that we can to put up historic markers, particularly to educate our public about the big events of the past, or significant people that have helped shape us as a community,” Wood said. “Today, we're here to unveil really a history lesson right here in the heart of our downtown … we as always, rise up from the ashes and build bigger and build better into the Mishawaka that we know today.”