On Saturday September 5, 1908 Chisholm was swept by a forest fire that destroyed the entire business district and left some four thousand people homeless. With the indomitable spirit of its citizens and generous help from throughout the state, rebuilding commenced the following day. By September 5, 1933, a quarter century of progress had intervened since the disaster, and the event stood as a testament to the courage with which it was met and to the pioneers of Chisholm.