Disasters

Disasters. Settled 1852. , On April 25, 1994 at 9:38 p.m. one or more tornadoes traveled through the heart of Lancaster. Over 200 homes and 26 businesses in the area were destroyed or severely damaged. Three people died, several were seriously hurt and hundreds left homeless. The Junior High School, West Main School, the Veterans Memorial Library, the Community House and City Hall were all damaged requiring major repair., Many volunteers assisted in the cleanup and the rebuilding process of private and public structures. Fund raising efforts aided in the rebuilding efforts of the residential area and the public property downtown., This was not the first disaster to come to Lancaster. In July of 1936, a strong straight wind with thunder and lightning damaged several homes and businesses., In Febuary of 1918, someone was burning leaves on the east side of the square. A wind blew the burning leaves under a building and less than 15 minutes the fire raged. This was the day the water was being switched to the standpipe. There was no water pressure. Four blocks were destroyed. Dallas, Ferris and Waxahachle fire departments assisted Lancaster. Women and children cleared out structures. Men formed a water brigade. Total loss was four brick buildings, several frames, a grain elevator, the Christian Church, Katy Hotel and six homes., Other fires burned the northwest side of the square in 1889 and the south side in 1877. There were no lives lost in these fires.