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Let it Snow

We all know winters in Minnesota can be rough. Most of us had heard, or perhaps told, stories of past winters with gale-force winds and snowdrifts as high as a house. Here are some glimpses of memorable winters from the past.


On March 1, 1856, Dr. Frederick Ripley and John McClelland left their claim near Cedar Lake for Forest City to get supplies. The day started out nice, but a blizzard came upon them quickly. The men took shelter for the night but became lost when they set out the next day. They were able to return to their shelter but weren’t able to start a fire. The following day, Dr. Ripley couldn’t go on and died not far from the lake that bears his name.


On January 22, 1887 a west bound train became stuck in a snow drift about a mile from Litchfield and had to be hand shoveled out. More shoveling was needed the following January when the west side block of Sibley Avenue became blocked with snow.


Snow Litchfield, c 1940
Snow Litchfield, c 1940

A significant blizzard swept through the area in late February 1922. However, the temperatures were relatively warm and “after the annoyance of clearing away the snow the experience was not an unpleasant one.” Rural mail wasn’t delivered for two days and several trains were stuck or delayed by the snow.  


What would become known as the Armistice Day Blizzard started on November 11, 1940. Seventeen to 27 inches of snow were reported across the state, with reports of twenty-foot high drifts near Willmar. Dozens of deaths were reported in Minnesota. Many of the deceased were duck hunters who had been caught unaware. In Watkins, two trains collided and local residents formed a human chain to get the injured off of the trains. Two of the crew were killed.


In December 1950, it snowed 20 of the first 23 days, with another nine inches on Christmas. In January 1952, it was reported that 85 to 90 percent of the roads were blocked with snow. Another snow fall hit in February 1952 and was considered the “worst blizzard in years.” So many motorists were stranded in Litchfield that the hotels were full and private citizens were taking people into their homes.


The memorable winter of 1965 included three significant snowfalls from February through the St. Patrick’s Day Blizzard. A couple living north of Grove City needed to get to Litchfield for the birth of their twins. They left home at 9:00 am with snow plows clearing the way and were admitted to the Litchfield hospital at 7:00 pm. The babies arrived safely the following day.


The storm that became known as the Super Bowl Blizzard struck in January 1975. Over a dozen inches of snow fell coupled with 80 mph wind. There were multiple power outages and some roads were closed for over a week. For the first time in its history, no milk was delivered to First District in Litchfield.


Stop by the Museum for a look through the newspaper archives to discover more snowy history! 

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Saturday Noon-4pm

308 North Marshall Avenue, Litchfield, MN 55355

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