Marshall, Illinois

Historical marker location:

501 Archer Avenue, Marshall, Illinois

( Marker can be reached from the intersection of Archer Avenue (U.S. 40) and 5th Street.)

Marker installed: 1935

1835 - 1935.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was one of the most devastating fires in U.S. history. The fire destroyed much of the city, including over 17,000 buildings and left more than 100,000 people homeless. The fire started in a barn owned by Patrick and Catherine O'Leary, but the cause of the fire is still debated to this day.