“1925 Tri-State Tornado” State Historical Marker

To Be Dedicated in Gibson County
 

A new Indiana state historical marker commemorating the 1925 Tri-State Tornado will be dedicated in Gibson County on Tuesday, March 18. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which will take place in Princeton, at the corner of W. Garfield and S. Madison avenues, beginning at 3:45 p.m. CST. Parking is available along the street or in the Baldwin Heights Apartment complex lot, located east of the marker.

The text follows for the state marker entitled “Tri-State Tornado, March 18, 1925:”

After devastating parts of Missouri and Illinois, the Tri-State Tornado crossed the Wabash River and entered southern Indiana on its 219-mile path. The tornado destroyed the town of Griffin and caused massive damage to Owensville before hitting Princeton’s south end at 4:18 p.m. Here, the tornado struck quickly with no warning, killing 45 people and injuring hundreds. Within hours, help came from nearby towns, the American Red Cross, and the Indiana National Guard. Hundreds of homes, the Baldwin Heights School, and major industries such as the H.J. Heinz plant and Southern Railway shops were destroyed, but the community quickly rebuilt. The Tri-State Tornado’s death toll led the U.S. Weather Bureau to call for state warning systems.

This year marks the centennial of the Tri-State Tornado that ravaged parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. A previous marker for the tornado was installed in Posey County in 2004. This new marker expands on that history and explores the storm’s impact on another part of the state. This is the seventh state historical marker to be installed in Gibson County. For a listing of all markers in Gibson County and statewide, click here.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 750 of these markers have been installed over the years.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana history, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call (317) 232-2535. For more information on the dedication, contact Janelle Wood with the Princeton Mayor’s Office at [email protected] or call 812-385-4428.