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The Queens, New York Tornado That Turned Into A Tourist Attraction That Same Day
A natural disaster in the city more than a century ago left enormous devastation but within hours thousands were flocking to see the spectacle
Devastating tornadoes are fortunately relatively rare in the eastern portion of the United States. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t occur occasionally. In 1895 Queens, New York, one such twister hit a neighborhood with such force that in the immediate aftermath, the devastation drew tens of thousands of curious tourists wanting to gawk at what had just transpired.
The tornado struck on July 13, 1895, leaving a trail of damage in its wake. It began in New Jersey and touched down in parts of New York. Homes and businesses were flattened, trees uprooted, and entire neighborhoods were left in ruins. The immediate aftermath in the areas hit hardest was chaotic.
One of the most devastated areas was the village of Woodhaven, located in Queens. It was reported that the community lost 5 houses completely, and saw another 30 sustain major damage. A newly constructed rail station was destroyed, as was a picturesque hotel. Two people (a 15-year-old boy named John Kolb and a 16-year-old married pregnant girl named Louise…
