This sound clip highlights the blizzard and flood in Roseau County in the spring of 1950. The Roseau County Historical Society prepared this radio script to share county history through broadcasts on KJ102 FM in Roseau. The topics highlight the history of Roseau County and the people that lived there.
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.
This house on North Third Street was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. A portion of the municipal swimming pool building can be seen in the distance at the far left.
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 St. Peter Public Library at 101 West Nassau Street was destroyed by a March 1998 tornado that caused extensive damage in many parts of St. Peter, Minnesota.
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.
Taken from the west side of Gorman Park, this photo looks to the north toward the remains of the Arts and Heritage Center and the Community Center beyond it in St. Peter, Minnesota. Both buildings, originally constructed as high schools, were damaged beyond repair in a March 1998 tornado.
St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired. This photo shows the east front and the north side of the church. At the far left, a portion of the John Ireland School building can be seen south of the church.
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. This photo, taken from Gorman Park, shows the south front and the west side of the damaged church.
St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota that it was not able to be repaired. This photo shows the east side of the church.
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.
A home that was located on the southeast corner of the intersection of North Fourth and West Chestnut Streets was completely destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. Other houses shown in this photo on the west side of North Fourth Street survived, including those at 110 North Fourth, 116 North Fourth, and 122 North Fourth.
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 Community Center was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired. The narrow east front of the building on the 300 block of South Fifth Street and the long section on the south side of West Nassau Street are shown in this photograph.
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.
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 Lommel Jr. was painting his father's tavern in Luxemburg and decided to a take a dip in nearby Beaver Lake. The message to his father says it all: "Too Hot Went to Lake."
The 1973 date book featured scenes from three major storms that hit Duluth, Minnesota in the summer of 1972. The storms of August 16, August 20 and September 20, 1972, left millions of dollars in damage. The images include flooded streets and businesses, washed out streets, and Duluth residents working to mitigate the storms' effects.
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.
View from the front door of the Turnblad mansion toward the apartment building across Park Avenue. A man is shoveling the walk. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Interior view of the Turnblad mansion's dining room. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
An amphibious vehicle can be seen heading westward along the flooded Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951. The Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue is along the left side of the photo, and the Mission Covenant Church at 215 Belgrade Avenue is at the far right. Texaco and Pure service stations can be seen in the distance, closer to the Minnesota River.
These homes along Center Street, across from the Tanley Field ballpark in North Mankato, Minnesota, had severe damage from the flood water of the Minnesota River in 1951.
The grain elevators of the Hubbard Milling Company in Mankato, Minnesota, can be seen in the lower right corner of this 1951 aerial photograph. The bridge across the flooded Minnesota River connected Mankato with North Mankato. Most of North Mankato, which suffered extensive flood damage, is visible in the distance.
These houses along Center Street in North Mankato, Minnesota, were flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951. Part of the Tanley Field ballpark can be seen at the far right of the photo.
The Municipal Building at 443 Belgrade Avenue and Howard Helgerson's service station at 503 Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, Minnesota, were among the many businesses and residences that were flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951.
Much of North Mankato, Minnesota, was flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951, as can be seen in this aerial photo. The Tanley Field ballpark is visible in the upper left quadrant of the photo, and the grain elevators of the Hubbard Milling Company in Mankato, Minnesota appear in the upper right corner.
Boats were used for transportation in flooded North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951. The spire of the Mission Covenant Church at 215 Belgrade Avenue can be seen in the distance. The Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue is visible at the far right side of the photo. Most of the city was flooded by the Minnesota River that year.
This aerial photo shows the business district along Belgrade Avenue as well as portions of the residential sections of North Mankato, Minnesota. The city was among a number of communities that suffered extensive damage from flood water from the Minnesota River in 1951. The large building at the far left side of the photo was the Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue.
Taken from the bank of the flooded Minnesota River, this photo shows the bridge that connected North Mankato, Minnesota, with the city of Mankato in 1951. Across the river, the Saulpaugh Hotel and other buildings in Mankato can be seen, as well as a portion of the railroad depot.
From left to right, the following businesses are shown in flooded North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951: the Urban Cafe and the Urban Lanes bowling alleys at 243 to 247 Belgrade Avenue, the Jaehn and Buck barber shop at 249 Belgrade Avenue, the R and J Liquor Store at 253 Belgrade Avenue, and Spinner's Bar at 301 Belgrade Avenue. Most of the city was flooded by the Minnesota River that year.
