Louisville Tornado of 1890 stereographs
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Louisville Tornado of 1890 stereographs
- Date
- 1890 (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.05 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Tornado damage
- Preferred Citation
- 2015av006: [identification of item], Louisville Tornado of 1890 stereographs, 1890, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Louisville Tornado of 1890 occurred on March 27, killing over one-hundred people and injuring fifty-five. The tornado hit much of the downtown area, flattening many buildings. Among the many businesses, homes, warehouses, and buildings that were destroyed, the Falls City Hall was one of the most damaged sites. When the Falls City Hall collapsed, two hundred people were buried under the wreckage, and an estimated forty-four were killed. This tornado still remains one of the most destructive natural disaster in the history of Kentucky.
- Scope and Content
- The Louisville Tornado of 1890 stereographs (dated 1890; 0.05 cubic feet; 13 items) comprises stereographs that document the Louisville Tornado of 1890 taken by George Barker. Identified locations include the Louisville Tobacco Warehouse, Baxter Square, Burnhams Store, the Church of the Sacred Heart, St. John's Church, Falls City Hall, and the Union Depot. These images document the wreckage in different regions of the city.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.
Contents of the Collection
"Ruins of Louisville Tobacco Warehouse", 1890
"Home Sweet Home", 1890
"Baxter Square-Trees Uprooted", 1890
"A sample of wind power-Burnhams Store, Main Street", 1890
"Main Street-After the Zephyr", 1890
"Where 'Ruin's Mereless Plongshare Passed O'er'", 1890
"Wreck of the Church of the Sacred Heart", 1890
"Statue of the Holy Virgin standing uninjured in wreck of Church of Sacred Heart", 1890
"Ruins of St John's Church and Rectory", 1890
"'Caught out on a fly' Wild Swan killed by the tornado", 1890
"Wreck of the Falls City Hall (75 killed)", 1890
"Wreck of the Union Depot", 1890
"Entrance to Baxter Square-3 inch iron rods bent and sign torn away", 1890
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
