Riga Michigan Lenawee County Fire Disaster 1908 Real Photo Postcard

This postcard documents a significant fire in Riga, Michigan, recorded on July 11, 1908. During the early 20th century, devastating fires were a common threat to small American towns. Communities like Riga, often built predominantly with wood and lacking sophisticated municipal fire departments, were highly vulnerable to rapid and widespread destruction from even minor blazes, resulting in considerable loss of homes and businesses.