Near Blomkist in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
1873 Blizzard
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, August 27, 2014
1. 1873 Blizzard Marker
Inscription.
1873 Blizzard. . The morning of January 7, 1873, was mild and pleasant enough to encourage many farmers to make trips to town or to work in their woodlots. Shortly after 2 p.m. a howling blizzard of snow, driven by a 70-mph northwest wind broke the calm. The storm, which lasted for several days, was so intense that drivers were unable to see the oxen or teams pulling their sleds. John, Charles and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas and Michael Holden, en route from Olivia to Willmar, were at this spot when they were forced to stop, because of the blinding blizzard. Only Michael Holden survived. Claud and Jorgen Strand perished in Whitefield Township, while returning to their home with a load of wood. Lars Nelson died later, a victim of exposure. The bodies of Ole K. Spau, Margaret Soland and Heige Stengrimson were all found in Norway Lake Township, where they died trying to make their way to their homes. William C. Crump died in Roseville Township after he had become lost during the storm. Twelve persons perished in Kandiyohi County during the blizzard of 1873. This marker stands where John, Charles and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas Holden died. ,
This project has been financed in part with funds provided by , the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts and , Cultural Heritage Fund and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society.. . This historical marker was erected by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, with funds from the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society. It is Near Blomkist in Kandiyohi County Minnesota
The morning of January 7, 1873, was mild and pleasant enough to encourage many farmers to make trips to town or to work in their woodlots. Shortly after 2 p.m. a howling blizzard of snow, driven by a 70-mph northwest wind broke the calm. The storm, which lasted for several days, was so intense that drivers were unable to see the oxen or teams pulling their sleds. John, Charles and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas and Michael Holden, en route from Olivia to Willmar, were at this spot when they were forced to stop, because of the blinding blizzard. Only Michael Holden survived. Claud and Jorgen Strand perished in Whitefield Township, while returning to their home with a load of wood. Lars Nelson died later, a victim of exposure. The bodies of Ole K. Spau, Margaret Soland and Heige Stengrimson were all found in Norway Lake Township, where they died trying to make their way to their homes. William C. Crump died in Roseville Township after he had become lost during the storm. Twelve persons perished in Kandiyohi County during the blizzard of 1873. This marker stands where John, Charles and Stephen O'Neill and Thomas Holden died.
This
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project has been financed in part with funds provided by
the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts and
Cultural Heritage Fund and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society.
Erected by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, with funds from the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1873.
Location. 44° 57.871′ N, 95° 2.867′ W. Marker is near Blomkist, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. Marker is on 165th Avenue Southwest (County Road 80) 0.2 miles west of U.S. 71, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blomkest MN 56216, United States of America. Touch for directions.
sectionhead>More about this marker. The marker has the Historic Site seal of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society · 1895.
Also see . . . Famous Winter Storms. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. January 7-10, 1873. (Submitted on December 3, 2014.)
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, August 27, 2014
3. 1873 Blizzard Marker
Site where four people perished.
Library of Congress
4. Horse-drawn Sleigh In A Blizzard
Title
[Horse-drawn sleigh in snow with hotel in background, Washington, D.C.]
Contributor Names
Painter, Uriah Hunt, 1837-1900, photographer
Created / Published
[1889]
Call Number
LOT 3860 [item] [P&P]
Digital Id
cph 3a46633 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a46633
Library of Congress Catalog Number
2007678678
Reproduction Number
LC-USZ62-46464 (b&w film copy neg.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,270 times since then and 185 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 3, 2016. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on January 5, 2016, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.