The Peshtigo Fire on October 8, 1871, Wood engraving, published in 1872.

Peshtigo: The Nation’s Deadliest Fire

On the same night as Chicago’s Great Fire of 1871, some 2,400 square miles of Wisconsin and Michigan burned in a firestorm that took more than 1,000 lives.
Five views of the eagle diamond

Shine On You Eagle Diamond

The year 1893 was a big one for Eagle, Wisconsin. Workers found a huge diamond on the Devereaux farm: sixteen carats, uncut, and now, all these years later, missing.
Ralph Kerwineo, 1914

Introducing Ralphero Kerwineo

He just wanted to live an honest life.
Ice cutters

On the Rocks

Ice harvesters once made a living from frozen lakes and ponds, and the international ice industry was a booming business. Then refrigeration came along.
The last known photo of Frank Lenz, 1894

The Adventurous Life and Mysterious Death of Frank Lenz

In 1892, the master cyclist set out to tour the world on wheels. A few months later, he disappeared, never to be heard from again. What happened to Frank Lenz?
Hot pink feather fan with celluloid sticks and guards

Staying Cool with Hand Fans

Fans are much more than convenient cooling devices. They make fashion statements, serve as status symbols, and silently spread political propaganda.
J.P. Ball's Great Daguerrian Gallery of the West

Introducing “Archives Unbound”

In her new column, Dorothy Berry offers an inside look at the work of the digital archivist, while highlighting forgotten figures in Black print culture and public life.
"The Big Ones of '68" a paper dress by Universal Studios, 1968

When Paper Was Fashion’s Favorite Material

It's hip, it's happening, it's wow, it's now, it's gone: RIP the paper dress, 1966–1968.
Leading Kentucky hemp farmer Joe "Daddy Burt" Burton with a harvested hemp plant.

The Return of Hemp

Even though it's made from cannabis plants, you can't get high on hemp. But it was classified as an illicit drug for nearly 50 years.
An elf carrying gifts

A Holiday Gift Guide from a JSTOR Daily Gift Fanatic

Splurges for that scholarly curmudgeon in your life who has a critique of capitalism but still likes to have nice things.