This is an original picture, taken by Wilize (?) at the time, showing the ruins of Gladstone Hall, Red Wing, after the building had collapsed under the heft of 3 or 4 feet of heavy snow. The picture was gotten from W. S. Scott, Red Wing, Minn., in June, 1933. Note that Bush Street is covered and completely blockaded by stone and snow. (B. Eide)
The Northrop School was leveled by the 1883 tornado. This school served students of the Third Ward. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The Chicago & North Western Railroad yards received severe damage from the 1883 tornado. Box cars, buildings and stock pens were destroyed. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The T. P. Hall Buggy Works lost part of the roof and the side of the building in the 1883 tornado. Carriages and wagons are visible as well as the remains of an freight elevator structure. The business was located on the corner of College Street and Main Street. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The tin from the roof of the Heaney Block was rolled up and dropped on the street by the force of the tornado. Just to the left (south) is the Cook House, built in 1869. The Heaney Block was built by Daniel Heaney in 1866. It was in this building, on the 3rd floor, where Dr. William W. Mayo set up temporary hospital for the care of those injured in the tornado. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The object in the foreground is a roll of tin that was torn off the Heaney Building by the 1883 tornado. The Heaney Block is on the right, with the Cook House across the street (to the left of Heaney Block). On the 3rd floor of Heaney Hall, Dr. William Worrall Mayo set up a temporary hospital for the care of those injured in the tornado. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
This view of North Rochester shows the most heavily settled section of the city. Very few houses are still standing after the 1883 tornado. This photo was taken from Cole's Mill. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
This photo was taken from Cole's Mill and shows the extensive property damage from the 1883 tornado. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The mill race is filled with debris and an overturned railroad car. The damaged Cole's Mill is in the background. A horse and buggy stand near the mill. John M. Cole, the proprietor of the mill was found dead in the street between the mill and his residence. He had apparently left the mill to go home when he was killed by the storm. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
One building in this scene of a section of Broadway is still standing. All other buildings have been destroyed by the 1883 tornado. The wooden walkway is also damaged in several sections. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Most of the houses have been destroyed in this view of a street in Rochester after the tornado of 1883. The buildings left standing are all heavily damaged. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Only a few houses remain standing after the 1883 tornado. This is the view from Cole's Mill showing the residential section of Rochester. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Vedder's Farm Machinery Depot was the largest in Southeastern Minnesota. It was built in 1879 and located on the corner of 5th and Broadway. About 75 feet of his store was destroyed. Albert D. Vedder and his wife were in the cellar and saved from death by heavy timbers that lodged above them and kept the ruined masonry from crushing them. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The force of the winds from the 1883 tornado blew the railroad bridge into the Zumbro River. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
This photo shows debris caught in trees, trees with no leaves and piles of rubble everywhere. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
This large building was completely destroyed by the 1883 tornado. Roof timbers are broken and laying on a pile of loose bricks. The caption reads ""Machine Shop"". The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The west end of Cole's Mill was blown in, the roof blown off, the corner of a wall torn out, the machinery damaged and the cooper shop destroyed. Eight box cars were overturned and two carloads of flour were in the mill race. John M. Cole, the proprietor of the mill was found dead in the street between the mill and his residence. He had apparently left the mill to go home when he was killed by the storm. In the foreground is the leveled home of Paul Thompson, who worked for the mill and occupied a home rented from the mill. The stove is all that is recognizable of any of the house furnishings. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
This photo was taken in North Rochester near the Cook and Proud residences. People are looking through piles of rubble. A dead horse is in the foreground, possibly impaled with a tree or branch. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Two women are walking among the debris, another woman is sitting down. The trees have lost their leaves in the storm. Very little is recognizable among the piles of rubble except a chair and a wagon wheel. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Part of the destroyed residential section is shown in this photo taken after the 1883 tornado. Several homes are badly damaged and many are completely destroyed. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Several people are viewing the damage from the 1883 tornado. A man is standing next to a piece of furniture and a boy is sitting with a large toy horse. Among the debris on the ground is a stove, windows and an umbrella. The inscription on the photo is: ""Cascade Park, 20 houses destroyed, 8 persons killed near here."" The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
Flooding up to the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the Lowell Park gazebo in Stillwater, Minnesota. The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge crossing the St. Croix River between Stillwater, Minnesota, and Houlton, Wisconsin. It first opened to traffic in 1931.
Flooding up to the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the Lowell Park gazebo in Stillwater, Minnesota. The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge crossing the St. Croix River between Stillwater, Minnesota, and Houlton, Wisconsin. It first opened to traffic in 1931.
Flooding in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota. Many businesses are in view in the background, including Winona Knits and the Lumber Exchange Building at 308 Chestnut.
Flooding reaches the cement base of the entrance to the Lift Bridge in Stillwater, Minnesota. The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge crossing the St. Croix River between Stillwater, Minnesota, and Houlton, Wisconsin. It first opened to traffic in 1931.
Joe and Janette Connelly farm during 1965 flood was located on Highway 13 near Cliff Road. Burnsville Minnesota. Prior owners were his parents Jim and Anna Connelly, Michael and Mary Kennelly Dunn and her parents Walter and Sarah Kennedy Kennelly, who purchased the farm in 1864.
Joe and Janette Connelly farm during 1965 flood was located on Highway 13 near Cliff Road. Burnsville Minnesota. Prior owners were his parents Jim and Anna Connelly, Michael and Mary Kennelly Dunn and her parents Walter and Sarah Kennedy Kennelly, who purchased the farm in 1864.
Richard and Marlene Witty suffered extensive damage to their home at 318 South Washington Avenue in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house to the south, at left in this photograph, was completely destroyed.
These apartments along West Jefferson Avenue were severely damaged in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College is across the avenue to the north.
A crumpled grain bin lies among other debris on Park Row, between South Front Street and South Minnesota Avenue after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. A crane is in use at the Nicollet Hotel, which is visible in the distance across the avenue.
Property at 522 North Minnesota Avenue is shown at the far left in this photo taken after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The pink house in the distance is at 520 North Third Street.
Looking across Gorman Park from West Grace Street, the severely damaged St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street is visible in the distance after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. A Community Center was later constructed on the site.
The south end of the Americinn Motel at 700 North Minnesota Avenue is shown in this photo after a tornado caused considerable damage to the building in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota.
The lumber yard of the St. Peter Lumber Company was extensively damaged in March of 1998 by a tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo was taken from the east side of the 200 block of South Front Street, looking across Front Street.
The white house at 402 North Minnesota Avenue was completely destroyed in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The blue house in the distance is at 420 North Minnesota Avenue.
The severely damaged house to the right of the center of this photo was located on the west side of South Fourth Street prior to a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The photo was taken from West Skaro Street, near its intersection with Fourth.
This house at 522 North Minnesota Avenue was damaged so severely by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired.
Willard and Odelia Hoehn lost their home at 522 West Evenson Street in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo looks to the east from North Washington Avenue.
Standing in the rubble of the gymnasium of the Community Center, a news crew from KARE11 Television interviews a resident after a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. South Washington Avenue is to the left of the cameraman, who is pointing his camera toward West Nassau Street.
The St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church at 427 West Mulberry Street was severely damaged by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. A new church was soon constructed on the same site. The trees at the far right were in Gorman Park.
The spire of Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College was knocked over by a tornado that caused extensive damage in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo, which looks to the west, and was taken near the intersection of South Seventh Street and College Avenue, also shows the first building to be constructed on the college campus, Old Main.
The remains of the Arts and Heritage Center at 320 South Fifth Street are shown after a tornado damaged many structures in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The building was constructed in 1870 as the community's first high school. This photograph shows the west side of the building.
A tornado in March of 1998 destroyed the Arts and Heritage Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Originally constructed as the community's first high school in 1870, it was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Fifth and West Grace Streets, facing Grace. The building to the right was built in 1907 as a more modern high school. It served as the Community Center in 1998.
The home of Mark and Judith Ahlstrom at 202 North Third Street was extensively damaged by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was later restored.
Buildings along the west side of the 100 block of South Front Street are shown after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The photo was taken from Levee Park, near the Park Row intersection.
A number of structures in the vicinity of the intersection of North Fourth and West Chestnut Streets were destroyed in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This view looks mainly to the north from the intersection.
A large amount of debris from a March 1998 tornado accumulated on Park Row, between South Front Street and South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, including a crumpled grain bin. The crane visible in the distance is beside the Nicollet Hotel on the Avenue.
Looking northward from the west end of the Community Center, two members of the National Guard are shown surrounded by debris from a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The St. Peter Community Hospital is visible at the far left.
The American Legion Post 37, the Flame Bar, Johnson & Hoehn LTD, Pell's Insurance and Real Estate, the Brandt Law Office, and the Dahleen and O'Brien Dental Office along the north side of the 200 block of West Nassau Street were among many structures that suffered varying degrees of damage from a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota.
The severely damaged home of George Lesnar at 302 South Washington Avenue is visible beyond a damaged station wagon after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota.
A tornado in March of 1998 destroyed the white house at 402 North Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota. To the north can be seen a blue house at 420 North Minnesota Avenue.
The home of Willard and Odelia Hoehn at 522 West Evenson Street in St. Peter, Minnesota, was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998. This photo was taken near the intersection of West Evenson and North Washington Avenue. The roof and the west side of the Hoehn home were removed by the strong wind.
A large amount of debris is visible in front of a house on the west side of the 600 block of North Minnesota Avenue after a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The white house in the center of the photo was at 522 North Minnesota Avenue.
The historic E. St. Julien Cox house at 500 North Minnesota Avenue, owned by the Nicollet County Historical Society, was damaged in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was repaired and continues to be used for various functions by the Society. The Cox family's carriage house to the north was also repaired.
In March of 1998, the Community Center, which was originally constructed as a high school, was destroyed by a tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo was taken from South Washington Avenue at its intersection with West Nassau Street.
The west end of the Community Center, which contained a gymnasium, lost its roof in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The structures on that block, bordered by South Washington Avenue and West Nassau, South Fifth, and West Grace Streets, were damaged beyond repair.
The spire of the Nicollet County Courthouse was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. From left to right on the east side of South Minnesota Avenue are the following buildings: the former Armory, the former St. Peter Public Library, the Courthouse, and the Nicollet County Jail.
The remains of the Arts and Heritage Center at 320 South Fifth Street are visible at the far right after a tornado damaged many structures in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The building in the background was then being used as the Community Center. Both buildings were originally constructed as high schools.
The Arts and Heritage Center, originally constructed in 1870 as the city's first high school, was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Fifth and West Grace Streets, facing Grace. The building at the far right was built in 1907 as a more modern high school. It was being used as the Community Center when the tornado destroyed it.
The Mark and Judith Ahlstrom home at 202 North Third Street suffered extensive damage from a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house was later restored. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.