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	1870's / 1880's / 1890's / 1900's / 1910's / 1920's ( Click an Era ) Read old articles about Chase from the Oconto County Reporter. These are stories about the people that built and shaped our town.
	The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 in Oconto Cty Read about one of the worse fires in history and the devastation it caused. It happened at the same time as the infamous Chicago Fire. Read stories from the few survivors and their families.
	Drawing of Pensaukee in 1871 Before the Tornado This commissioned plat drawing was completed in September 1871. However, before it was published, on the night of October 8th of 1871 the Great Peshtigo Fire completely destroyed the village and a majority of its inhabitants while burning its way into history as the largest natural disaster in the United States.
	The Great Pensaukee Tornado of 1877 in Oconto Cty Read about the devastating destruction this tornado did to areas in Oconto County. The article describes the horrendous force of the tornado and the path of destruction it left behind. Barges turned upside down in the water, a boy flying through the air, numerous farms, homes, and woods leveled.
	A New Century Take a walk through time as you read what Oconto County was like between 1900 & 1909.
	Ryczkowski Farm in the Town of Chase Read how Walentz Ryczkowski came to Chase in 1890 and settled his farmstead on a densely forested land claim. He set up a blacksmith shop to make tools, repairs, and utensils that were badly needed in the area. The farm is located on the NE corner of South Chase Rd & Hwy 32.
	Thomas Stone Barn, Town of Brigham, Iowa Cty, WI Learn about the history of this 1881 quarry stone barn. The farm itself has been in the same family since 1860! Meet Harold and Amy Thomas, the third generation, as they share its past with us.

The community of Chase took its name from the Chase & Dixie sawmill in operation along the Little Suamico River by 1867. Like other southern county communities, the combination of the Peshtigo Fire, the Pensaukee Tornado, and increasing farming activity essentially ended the lumber industry by the 1880s. In the 1890s and early 1900s, much of the remaining cutover land was purchased by the Hof Land Company which laid out new communities and encouraged numerous European immigrants, particularly Polish settlers, to begin farms in the Chase area.
Oconto County Genealogy Website

Many events and many people have shaped Oconto County and the Town of Chase. Even through tragedies, such as the Great Peshtigo Fire and the Pensaukee Tornado, people survived and prospered because they came together in times of adversity and helped one another. We should never forget where we came from, or why we are here today.

If you have old stories about Chase,
or old photos that you would like to submit,
please let me know by clicking HERE.