Photos: Remembering Wisconsin's deadliest tornado in 1899
Wisconsin's deadliest tornado struck New Richmond in St. Croix County on June 12, 1899, the worst in state history. More than 100 people and countless livestock were killed in the agricultural community of about 2,000 people, located some 250 miles northwest of Madison. The storm swept into town "with little warning and amazing force," according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, and when it was done, 117 people were left dead and 150 injured. At least 360 horses were killed, along with many cows, and 230 buildings destroyed. But the people of New Richmond rebuilt, erecting more than 100 new buildings in the next five months, according to the society. The Minneapolis Tribune, located just 45 miles away, decried in the next day's paper the "cyclone's fearful fury," reporting that much of New Richmond "is swept out of existence."
New Richmond tornado 1899
Elevated view of New Richmond after the tornado hit on June 12, 1899. Many people are gathered around the railroad tracks and a few others are seen among the ruins of homes and businesses. The Willow River is visible in the foreground.
New Richmond tornado 1899
People stand in the rubble of the Ward S. Williams Co. stone block building after a deadly tornado hit New Richmond.
New Richmond tornado 1899
People working with the relief effort in the aftermath of a tornado in New Richmond in 1899. Boxes of supplies are piled near a man in the foreground, and a man holds a bundle in a cart parked on the left. In the background, people are walking among the debris.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A woman and her young daughter stand in a yard examining a house in the aftermath of the New Richmond tornado. The house has one entire side missing.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A small group of women and children observe the aftermath of the New Richmond tornado.
New Richmond tornado 1899
View over water, perhaps Hatfield Lake, of houses damaged and demolished in the New Richmond tornado. Floating at the edge of the lake near an eroded bank are numerous pieces of debris. A number of tents for the relief effort are on the left.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A group of people looks at the debris left by the New Richmond tornado from a covered horse-drawn carriage. In the foreground, the roof of a house lies on the ground.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A small group of men and women stand surrounded by the debris from the New Richmond tornado. Storm-damaged houses and relief workers are visible in the background.
New Richmond tornado 1899
The still smoldering foundation of a brick building continues to burn in the wake of a tornado that swept through New Richmond in 1899.
Front page of the Minneapolis Tribune on June 13, 1899
The front page of the Minneapolis Tribune on June 13, 1899, blares news of the deadly New Richmond tornado. New Richmond is about 42 miles northeast of Minneapolis.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men near a heavily damaged home look at a tree that was stripped of its bark by the tornado that hit New Richmond in 1899. It also appears to have a piece of metal embedded in it.
New Richmond tornado 1899
An elevated view over water, possibly Hatfield Lake, shows damage to houses and property and people gathered in groups around town.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A crowd gathers amid debris left in the wake of a devastating tornado. Trees have been stripped of limbs and bar, and houses have been flattened.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men work amid the rubble of lumber, bricks and stone left by the tornado.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men work in the remains of a house that was demolished by the tornado that hit New Richmond in 1899.
Wisconsin State Journal front page June 13, 1899
The front page of the State Journal from June 13, 1899, recounts the story of the deadly tornado. The June 14 edition talked about the "line of funerals," with the dead carried to their graves in grocers' wagons.
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