Hwy. 13, Phillips City Park, Phillips, Price County 

On July 27, 1894, forest fires racing through dry timber slashings descended on Phillips from three direction. Within a matter of hours the city of 2500 persons lay in smoldering ruins. More than 400 homes, the business district, a new tannery and the large sawmill were totally destroyed. Thirteen lives were lost, all in attempts to escape the flames by crossing the lake. Many families abandoning their possessions crossed the Elk River at the north end of the city to spend a frightening fire-red­dened night at the water's edge protecting themselves from the heat and flying embers. Undaunted, these same valiant people built a new Phillips on the ashes of the ruins. Squaw Island, seen across Lake Duroy, is of historical interest. For many years before Phillips was settled and for some years after, it was an Indian burial ground.

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[Source: McBride, Sarah Davis. History Just Ahead (Madison:WHS, 1999).]