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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cole's Mill is viewed from the mill race showing six overturned railroad cars and another railroad car at the end of the race. The mill was extensively damaged by the 1883 tornado. 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.
The railroad tracks leading up to Cole's Mill are blocked by an overturned railroad car. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
A man is leaning against a wall of the Weber's residence. Another wall lies flat on the ground and the roof is missing. The tornado struck Rochester in the early evening of Aug. 21, 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of January 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of February 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of March 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of April 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of May 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of June 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of July 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.
The Carleton College weather diaries were created during the month of August 1883. Carleton students, faculty, and staff used the U.S. Army Signal Services Form 101 to record temperature, weather condition, precipitation for the station located at Carleton's first observatory in 1883.