Guyotte Island was one of the islands burned in the fire.
Guyotte Island was a huge island owned by three brothers
in Carthage. The three mills on the island were burned in
October 20, 1884. The fire jumped from island to island but
because the Black River surrounded it, Guyotte Island is
still standing. / by Doug
This island was named for the French immigrant, Bazille
Guyot, who established the first industry here, His sons,
Fred, Victor and Minor operated three mills after their
father's death. The carding mill, grist mill and saw mill were
lost in the fire, as well as the home of the brothers that stood
on the corner of Francis and Water Streets.
The line of islands that enabled the fire to hopscotch across
the Black River is easily seen in this student's sketch.
Electric Light Station, Guyot's Planing Mill and the Water
Works Pumping Station: rebuilt after the fire. From a 1900
photo.
Ruins are still visible on some of the islands.
The view today across the Black River from near where the
fire started.
The fire blew across the river and burned these islands:
Guyotte Island and Furnace Island. Tannery Island was also
burned and Devil Island and Champion Island too. The river
did not help the fire stop because the fire blew across the
river, it did not land on the river. The wind was strong
enough to have the fire blow across the river to the other
shore. / by McKenizie
There were four very particular islands that helped the fire
spread to Carthage from West Carthage. The fire started at
Eaton Sash and Blind Factory. Then the fire jumped a little
to Champion Island. Then from Champion to Devil Island
and on to Guyot Island. Next, it jumped to Furnace Island
and finally to Carthage. That fire is and forever will be
remembered. / by Mel
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