The year is 1871, October 8th, The smell of smoke alerts residents of the Holland area of possible trouble. Soon it was clear that there was a problem. People fled as the fire races across the wooded area. Soon it was touching the edge of the new city of Holland. quickly the fire consumed the wood structures of the downtown area. The city was destroyed. But one building still stood as the embers still glowed and smoldered. The Pillar Church. The church still stands today. It has changed some from that day being added onto with class rooms and offices. Oh I forgot to tell you. The same time this fire was blazing there was some other fire some place that made the news also. Some story about a woman's cow that kicked over a lantern and started a fire.
To this day they still do not know how the Great Holland fire started but rumor has it that sparks from the Chicago fire drifted over Lake Michigan and started the fire.
