We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Agonizing cries pierced the air. Soldiers carry a body on a stretcher through the snow. The weight of the snow collapsed the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre, killing 98 people. Over 200,000 homes and businesses lost power, according to the Washington Post. An investigation blamed the collapse on faulty construction and design. The collapse of the roof at the Knickerbocker Theater, which took 98 lives (many of them children), was described by the Washington Post as the "greatest disaster in . Richmond, Virginia recorded 19 inches (48 cm). Railroad lines between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. were covered by at least 36 in (91 cm) of snow, with drifts as high as 16 ft (4.9 m). Although Washington schools were closed that day, government workers returned their offices, as possible. In total, around 85 million people were affected by the snowstorm. Among the tragedys victims was Agnes Mellon, a clerk at the National Geographic Society who rushed into the Knickerbocker with her boyfriend, James Hoffman, just as the roof collapsed. Knickerbocker storm snowfall totals (Kevin Ambrose) On this date in 1922, 28 inches of snow piled up in Washington, D.C., an amount never since surpassed from a single storm. In the Blizzard of 1996, 20 feet of snow and 50 mph winds wreaked havoc on the Northeast. They noted, too, the temperament of the city residents, which was cast as generally upbeat. . Dark matter's secret identity could be hiding in distorted 'Einstein rings'. Baltimore and Washington, DC, received between 15 and 30 inches of snow. Chronicling America is produced through the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress, and state projects. Temperatures were below freezing leading up to the event and throughout. The storm spread from New England to the Chesapeake Bay, and strong winds blew snow drifts 30 to 40 feet high. Damages were estimated to cost $20 million. The news accounts reflect a city in shock and disbelief, even while working valiantly to bounce back from the crippling effects of the storm more generally. The club is still in operation and counts Dwight D. Has the Great Lakes ever had a hurricane? [1] The roof was flat, which allowed the snow to collect on it. From the worst to the least severe, here are the 10 harshest blizzards to hit the United States. Tornado damage caused by the 1975 Super Bowl Blizzard. It was a seemingly inconsequential homework assignment that saved Charles Lyman IIIs life on a frigid night in January 1922. The raging blizzard quickly chilled the air, and fierce winds built 20-foot (6 m) snowdrifts. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The Great Blizzard led to 20 deaths reported from Nebraska to New Jersey and over 2,000 flights were canceled. During the movie's intermission, the heavy, wet snow split the roof down the middle, bringing down the balcony as well as a portion of the weakened brick wall. The orchestra kept on playing until the unthinkable happened. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). All downtown businesses and buildings close, including the National Museum. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. In total, the collapse killed 98 peopleincluding David and Kirklandand injured another 133. The Worst Winter Storms In US History 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. By Monday, though, the city began to attempt resuming normal activity. Great God! he exclaimed. $64. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Braving the snow, more than 200 people walked to the theater to watch a silent comedy, Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, that has since been lost. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2023. You can view footage of the aftermath of the disaster from Jeff Krulik. In the Midwest, the front mixed with Arctic air from the north and warm Gulf of Mexico moisture, the classic ingredients for a winter blizzard. The blizzard lasted from March 11 to March 14. The wintry weather brought record-low temperatures, some of which still stand today, as well as record snowfall. What was it? The Knickerbocker at 100: DC's Perfect Storm - Historic America Our friend & colleague Larry Clark at Federal City Private Tours, shares the story in a special piece for the Historic America Journal.. Washington, DC; January 28, 1922 . New York, None of the survivors or the families of the deceased received any financial settlement despite numerous lawsuits. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. The snow showers started in Florida and moved north, dropping 20 inches (50 centimeters) in Washington, D.C., in a single day and a record 34 inches (86 cm) in New Jersey. It must have been a terrible blow.. The only method of getting to work Saturday morning following the "Knickerbocker " storm. 13 vintage photos of major US snowstorms that'll make you want to hibernate, 150 deaths and around $3 billion in damages, 6 holiday travel horror stories that will make you want to stay home, Over 200,000 homes and businesses lost power. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Download the free 8News and StormTracker 8 mobile apps! Louisiana high school senior awarded record-breaking $9M in Mattel releases first ever Barbie with Down syndrome. The paper reported a three . - Topping the list, however, was the unforgettable March 12-15, 1993 so-called "Storm of the Century" that killed 300 Americans and cost the U.S. somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 to $10 billion in damage. . NY 10036. Capital is Snow-bound, read the large headline from the January 28thWashington Times, overtaking (but not completely eliminating) the salacious stories of extramarital affairs involving prominent local citizens that had been dominating that papers front-page coverage for some time. Congress, the city and the courts conducted an investigation that concluded the theater had faulty construction. Science Source. Wind Damage. The Library of Congress unifies all content provided by states and permanently maintains the digital information. Mount LeConte, Tenn., saw 60 inches of snow and Mount Mitchell, N.C., reported 50 inches. The Knickerbocker storm was a blizzard on January 2728, 1922 in the upper South and the middle Atlantic United States. The Knickerbocker Storm -- On January 27 and 28, 1922, an intense blizzard dumped wet, heavy snow throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm system was abnormally slow, and that was a key element that may have caught forecasters by surprise. The Knickerbocker storm was a blizzard on January 27-28, 1922 in the upper South and the middle Atlantic United States. Snowmageddon dumped 17.8 inches of snow on the area and over 200,000 homes and businesses lost power. Privacy Statement A 504-foot (154 meter) boat upside down at the southern end of Lake Huron following a 1913 blizzard in the Great Lakes. Your Privacy Rights It was designed by Reginald Geare, an architect making a name for himself building upscale cinemas for the movie-going Americans of the roaring 20s., At around 9 p.m, just as the opening credits were rolling, a crack split across the ceiling and pieces of plaster rained onto the audience. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. There's a crumbling old mansion inside the Smithsonian National Zoo. Josh Gibson, founder of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (BID), points out that the Knickerbocker story was the banner headline in the New York Times on January 29, 1922. Winter Takes Over the News: The 1922 "Knickerbocker Storm" in Moviegoers paid 25 cents for admission to the Knickerbocker, which Ambrose calls the Titanic of Washington theaters at the time, both for its elegant style and its fatal vulnerabilities to the forces of nature. The theaters architect, Reginald Wyckliffe Geare, and owner, Harry M. Crandall, later killed themselves. Then a scream, an agonized cry, a moan. How much snow did DC get during Snowmageddon? Severe Weather Outlook For Texas - National Weather Service The storm itself was remarkable for its persevering intensity, generating snowfall rates of greater than one inch per hour over the 24-hour period from Friday afternoon January 27 to Saturday afternoon January 28. and thousands of dollars of property damage. Beneath tons of steel and masonry scores of men, women and children were buried.. Perhaps the most tragic Knickerbocker stories are those of its youngest victims, including Charles Lymans 17-year-old cousin, David. Over the past 150 years, the country has been pummeled with record-breaking blizzards. A storm that stretched from Florida to Maine, dubbed the Storm of the Century led to $5.5 billion in damages. (Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division). A surprising, but overlooked example of geology in the middle of the nations capital. The falling roof struck the theaters balcony and knocked down chunks of the brick walls. From Georgia to Maine, a punishing storm shut down the Eastern Seaboard beginning Feb. 11, 1899. Snowmageddon was sandwiched between two other blizzards at the beginning and end of February, prolonging the cleanup process. The Knickerbocker's roof had come crashing down, overwhelmed by the weight of the record-breaking snowfall. partisans of the Royalist coalition against Cromwell, such as the distressed Cavaliers of the , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rD-gKttzHk. But this storm brought about a catastrophe that would make it much more than but a memory. Shortly after 9:00pm on Saturday, January 28, 1922, the roof of one of the citys most popular movie houses gave way under the weight of over two feet of snow. The damage cost businesses $150 million, and 60 people died. Heres how it works. Over 15 ft. of snow fell on Mount Shasta, Calif., between Feb. 13 and 19, 1959. In an ironic turn of events, Mellons body was identified in the morgue by her khaki knickerbockers (a type of baggy breeches). Read more: 13 vintage photos of major US snowstorms that'll make you want to hibernate. The United States has seen its fair share of heavy snowfall. Offer subject to change without notice. 1961 Canvas Print. New York Knickerbockers Head Coach Eddie Donovan. Official and unofficial records vary, but many states have reported storms dumping feet of snow across regions. Then well read the names of the victims. The Knickerbocker Storm - 1922 On Jan. 28, 1922, more than 2 feet of snow fell on Washington, D.C. Drifts reached 15 ft. while tidal floods along the Massachusetts coast forced 10,000 residents into shelters. The cold weather had become established by a blocking pattern, common prior to and during the Great District of Colombia snowstorms. Why don't hurricanes form at the equator? In such a pattern, a traffic jam of sorts sets up in the atmosphere. Standing there in the doorways that led to the lobby, the usually stoic policemen almost despaired. Its estimated around 100 people died. Several persons passing on the street came running toward the theater when they heard the noise of the crash. If I knew aught to say to soften the sorrow of hundreds who have suddenly bereaved, if I could say a word to cheer the maimed suffering, I would gladly do it. Rescue workers remove a body from the Knickerbocker Theatre. Knickerbocker Storm of 1922. No purchase necessary. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Maura is a freelance writer and consultant from Washington, DC. Manuela Beltrn Is a Colombian Hero. Meanwhile, various theories emerged on what may have contributed to the roofs collapse, one of the more interesting being the music performed during the silent film. An Arctic air mass was in place across the northeast United States; Washington, D.C. had been below freezing since the afternoon of January 23. Nicknamed the White Hurricane, this major winter storm stuck the Great Lakes on November 7-10, 1913, resulting in a dozen major shipwrecks, with an estimated 250 lives lost. Around 85 million people were affected by the snow. Photos Show America's Biggest Snowstorms in the Last Century - Insider Eerie ring of red light flashes like a massive UFO above Italy. Opened to great fanfare on October 13, 1917, the Knickerbocker had a seating capacity of 1,700 and boasted both a movie screen and a stage, where a live orchestra played music to accompany the silent film of the day. Snowfall amounts during the 1950 Great Appalachian Storm. The damage of last night's severe thunderstorm is evident when driving through the city as [] SAN ANGELO, Texas - The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded 85 mph winds in the storm . (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Marine Museum of the Great Lakes). Over two feet of snow fell on Washington D.C. in late January 1922, resulting in the collapse of The Knickerbocker theater roof, an event that killed 98 people. Still, the tragedy brought attention to potentially unsafe building codes and practices. The blizzard lasted from March 11 to March 14. The Blizzard of 1996 resulted in 150 deaths and around $3 million in damages across the Northeast. [2] This snowstorm is the biggest in the history of Washington since official record-keeping began in 1885 (although it is dwarfed by the 36 inches (91 cm) of snow in the WashingtonJefferson Storm of January 1772). Washington, D.C picked up over 2 feet of snow with high drift amounts as well. You can view footage of the aftermath of the disaster from Jeff Krulik. The firemen, whose ordinary task is to combat fallen structures, find their way among the debris, were appalled. It wasnt until the following day, when the storm system was settling in on the region, that local forecasters began to see the picture unfolding, albeit imperfectly, as evident in the January 27 announcement in theWashington Herald: Snow or rain probably tonight and tomorrow.". The snow fall severely affected local rail services. He was recovering from an allergic reaction to seafood when he was called out of bed to coordinate the complicated undertaking. With few exceptions the streetcar lines in the District of Columbia were snowbound early today and suburban lines were unable to operate because of derailments. Knickerbocker storm - Wikipedia The theater's architect, Reginald Wyckliffe Geare, and owner, Harry M. Crandall, later killed themselves.[5]. However, unlike Snowzilla, the storm in 1922 was not predicted days in advance, and residents were caught off guard. RAW FOOTAGE: The aftermath of last night's storm in San Angelo It was the most heart-rending thing I ever want to witness.In the lobby of the theater, firemen and policemen and strong civilians worked as best they could in an endeavor to extricate the wounded and the dead. LEAVE A REVIEW HERE. Storms dumped more than 3 metres (9.8 ft) of snow across rural areas in northwestern, central and southern Iran.1972 Iran blizzard. The storm would be remembered as the Knickerbocker Storm and was truly one of the most devastating storms in Washington DC. However, there are no satellite images or atmospheric observations of the event. More than 250 people died when the winter whopper, called a November gale, struck the Great Lakes on Nov. 7, 1913. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed and engaged. Unbeknown to the moviegoers, the theaters flat roof was seriously stressed from the more than two feet of freshly fallen snow. Over the course of three days more than two feet of snow fell over the region. A small dust cloud started leaking from a crack in the ceiling above the stage but went unnoticed by most attendees. The storm wiped out power, including to the Capital Region's . The Knickerbocker was replaced by the Ambassador Theater, which operateduntil 1968. The Biggest Snow Storms in US History What is the deadliest blizzard in world history? Rescuers were still working to sift through the rubble and the bodies in itmid-afternoon the next day. Last year's great snowpocalypse seen from space. People from around the Adams Morgan neighborhood attempted to pull victimsfrom the rubble but it wasnt until 600 soldiers stationed across the city reached the scene that an organized rescue effort began. The Nov. 24, 1950, storm, responsible for 353 deaths, became a case study for tracking and predicting winter weather. Washington, D.C., was hit especially hard by the storm, tallying 28 inches of snowfall, the all-time record. This blizzard gained notoriety for its heavy, wet snows, which collapsed the roof at one of the most popular venues in Washington, D.C. Miller remembers hearing about the financial hardship the situation caused: Davids father died one year after his son, and the family initially lacked the resources to purchase tombstones for both of them. At the time, it was the largest snowfall ever recorded for one continuous storm in North America. Ten years ago, D.C. bore the brunt of what came to be called Snowmageddon one of the most severe winter storms in capital weather history. Meanwhile, theSunday Starof Washington immediately published lists of known fatalities and injured persons on its front page, including descriptions such as unidentified man with sandy hair, V.L. Weather map for the morning of January 28, 1922, January 25-27, 2011 North American blizzard, "How the Knickerbocker snowstorm became D.C.'s deadliest disaster 100 years ago", "When a Winter Storm Triggered One of the Deadliest Disasters in D.C. History", "Knickerbocker Disaster Worst in 50 Years", "Haunting faces, scenes and stories from the Knickerbocker Theatre roof crash 95 years ago", Footage of the Knickerbocker Theatre Disaster on YouTube, The Knickerbocker Theatre Tragedy, at Ghosts of DC, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knickerbocker_storm&oldid=1107445692, This page was last edited on 30 August 2022, at 01:40. The Knickerbocker Theatre was the largest movie house in Washington, D.C., built in 1917 and owned by Harry M. Watch the James River in downtown Richmond. In total98 people died and 133 were injured in the theater collapse, making it the deadliest disaster in Washington, D.C. history. The photograph may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more. When a flood, fire, or storm damages your home or business, call the mitigation, restoration, and renovation experts at Custom Care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. . Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). From February 14 to 19, the Great Blizzard of 2003 covered the East Coast in several feet of snow. A SunTrust bank eventually rose in its place. Heavy snow quickly developed from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania as the low drifted north to the Outer Banks of North Carolina on the 28th. Submit. [He] was the pride and joy of the family, Frank says. On the night of the collapse, only about 11 of the 20 musicians showed up to the 9 p.m. showing. Setup for the event [ edit] While some parts of the US see snow much of the year, other states are about to enter their frostiest season. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? The Chicago Blizzard of 1967 shut down O'Hare Airport and stranded 20,000 cars and 1,100 CTA buses. All three major airports in the New York metropolitan area were closed, and New York City became a ghost town. Between 52 and 67 inches of snow covered the central Appalachians over Thanksgiving weekend in 1950. This storm gets its name from the infamous tragedy that occurred post-snowfall. Disclaimer Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. On January 27 and 28, 1922, Washington, D.C., was hit with 28 inches of snow, the most the capital has ever received in one blizzard. Coverage of the Knickerbocker Storm and its immediate aftermath was plentiful in local newspapers, as well as others across the country, and can be explored through the Chronicling America online newspaper collection. [citation needed] Parts of North Carolina also received over one foot of snow. However, the Storm of the Century marked the first successful five-day forecast by the National Weather Service of a storm's severity, and a State of Emergency was declared in some regions before snow even started falling. The . As one reporter put it, it wasas suddenas turning off an electric light.. $62. An exploding bomb (weather lingo for a large pressure drop) went off over the Midwest on Nov. 11, 1940, as cold Northern air collided with warm Gulf Coast moisture. The cost of the storm damage has been estimated at an eye-watering $11.3 billion, . Chronicling Americais a freely accessible web site providing information about and access to historic United States newspapers published between 1836 and 1922. Get the latest History stories in your inbox? Could you tell the difference between this plant-based egg and a Meet the sailing robots trying to solve climate change, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. High pressure over Greenland backs the flow in the atmosphere resulting in a large dip in the jet stream over eastern North America. . The blizzard and subsequent flooding resulted in 150 deaths and around $3 billion in damages. One mighty symposium of exquisite pain had voiced a united appeal for help, or relief when all of a sudden there was silence. Yes, and it's nasty. What If She Never Existed? We're not sure if thats ever been done, to be honest.. Dozens were buried, 98 theatergoers were killed, and 133 were injured. Knickerbocker Storm In 1922 Most Deadly In Washington DC's History January 28, 2013. Snow reached Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. by noon on January 28, and continued into the morning of January 29. One woman, in particular, shouted at the top of her voice, shouted not for help, or aid, or succor; because she was probably not conscious of what happened. How many people died in the Knickerbocker Storm? The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury, and the White Hurricane) was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, from November 7 to 10, 1913. Investigations after the event placed the blame on the use of arch girders instead of stone pillars, which led to weaker infrastructure leading to the roof collapse. Winter Storm Jonas left up to three feet of snow in its wake when it struck the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in 2016. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Questions? On February 11, 2006 New York City was blanketed with nearly 27 inches of snow, marking a half inch more than the previous record, set in 1947. This led to stricter building codes to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. Can a storm be a both blizzard and a cyclone? An estimated 22,400 square miles (58,000 km2) of the northeast United States were affected by 20 inches (51 cm) of snow from this snowstorm. Here are the biggest snowfalls in US history - The Hill Tropical Storm Isaias damage on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. . Washington Post, January 1922: There was applause and laughter following a particularly clever comedy situation. Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, reported 37 inches, and Garrett County, Maryland, was buried in 40 inches. Congressman Andrew Jackson Barchfeld was among those killed in the theater. The terrible tragedy, staged in the midst of the great storm, has deeply depressed all of us and has left us wondering about the revolving fates. Here are 10 blizzards that have brought parts of the US to a standstill. Current Observations. On Saturday, January 28the second day of the blizzardLymans cousin David suggested spending a cozy evening watching a movie at the Knickerbocker Theatre in nearby Lanier Heights (now known as Adams Morgan). And what a weight. Huge snowdrifts buried houses and trains, and 200 ships sank in waves whipped up by fierce winds. (AP Photo) . For Washington, DC, the verdict is still uncertain, but we do know that the blizzard of 2016 officially Winter Storm Jonas but more popularly dubbed Snowzilla fell short of eclipsing the snowfall amount from what is commonly referred to as the Knickerbocker Storm, occurring 94 years ago this week. Some of the worst damage was in Washington, D.C., where the deluge of snow collapsed the roof at the famous Knickerbocker Theater. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. A fleet of ambulances from Walter Reed Army Medical Center helped evacuate the injured, and every hospital in the area was filled with Knickerbocker victims. Inside this old mill is a collection of images that will always remain frozen in time. This storm struck the Atlantic coast and was one of the deadliest in history and led to over 400 deaths. It was the most opulent and luxurious theater in D.C., and it was in a very high-end part of town, he says. The collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in 1922 gave the storm its name. 7654 Knickerbocker Road San Angelo, TX 76904 325-944-9445 Comments? The wreckage from the catastrophe was compared to that of World War I battlefields, and the blizzardthat caused it all was dubbed the Knickerbocker Storm.. TheEvening Starcommented that Everybody seemed to be in jolly mood, including street car employees, and the people struggled to work in cars and afoot. Federal employees who had to report to work that Saturday were released at noon, as forecasts called for continuing snow. ), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knickerbocker_storm, http://ghostsofdc.org/2015/03/16/the-knickerbocker-theater-tragedy/, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/01/27/haunting-faces-scenes-and-stories-from-the-knickerbocker-theatre-roof-crash-95-years-ago/?utm_term=.8e519b1586cb, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012101298.html. The collapsed roof of the Knickerbocker Theater in Washington, D.C. Snowdrifts piled against a South Dakota home following the Armistice Day Blizzard in 1940. It was a task that tried the souls of men. Unlike many winter storms, which sweep in from Canada, the Super Bowl Blizzard started in the Pacific and crossed the Rocky Mountains. There was a frontal boundary that was on the drier side until it passed the gulf, where a rapidly deepening low formed off the coast of Florida as the front and low met up. The storm takes its name from the cave-in at the Knickerbocker Theater, which killed 98 people and injured 133. The storm is named for a Northwest Washington, D.C., theater, . By the night of January 28, the blizzard had started to wind down. Those who shouted were those who were under the weight of a roof and a balcony. During the bomb cyclone in March 2019, 25 states were affected. Today, one would never guess this was the site of a D.C. tragedy. Policemen and rescuers stand atop the rubble of the Knickerbocker. John F. Kennedy Airport saw an average snowfall of 2 inches per hour at one point. Hollywood Landmarks - The Knickerbocker Canvas Print. Crandall. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The blizzards hit on February 4-7 and 9-11 and lead to iced over roads as far away as New Mexico. Barely a quorum of Senators appeared for the roll call and only a handful of Representatives were on hand. The after-effects of Snowzilla are still upon us, and stories of tragic outcomes continue to emerge. Washington, DC, was buried beneath 28 inches of snow in the Knickerbocker Storm of 1922. Mysterious installations bring levity and light to a sometimes stodgy city. Ultimately, a number of investigations at local and federal levels concluded that the buildings design, including the use of arch girders instead of stone pillars, was significantly to blame. Subfreezing temperatures in the days preceding the storm meant every flake stuck. Looking back on Virginia's most devastating snowstorm, 100 years later