Organizations collaborate to remember 1924 tornado

To honor the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Lorain tornado, the Lorain Historical Society is collaborating with several local organizations to remember the victims and survivors of the deadly and catastrophic twister and to promote awareness of the rebuilding and rebirth of Lorain that followed, according to a news release.

Events to commemorate the tornado will take place on the official anniversary date, noon, June 28, at Lakeview Park and later in the evening at the opening of the Lorain International Festival at Black River Landing, the release said.

Additional activities will take place throughout the summer and into the fall, according to the release.

A central community calendar of events can be found on the Lorain Historical Society’s website at www.lorainhistory.org.

The year 2024 is an important year, said Kaitlyn Donaldson, Lorain Historical Society curator and coordinator of this commemoration in the release.

“Not only is it the 100th anniversary of the Lorain tornado, but it is also the bicentennial year for Lorain County,” Donaldson said in the release. “It is fitting that we celebrate both this summer.”

The events that will take place June 28 include:

• A remembrance ceremony at Lakeview Park at noon to honor the victims and survivors of the tornado. It was at the Bath House at Lakeview Park where the tornado first touched down in Lorain.

• At 5 p.m., an acknowledgment during the Lorain International Festival’s opening remarks will kick off the festival weekend.

Partner organizations include the Lorain Historical Society, Lorain County Metro Parks, Main Street Lorain, The Morning Journal, FireFish Arts, Lorain Public Library System, the Black River Stamp Club, Lorain Port and Finance Authority and the city of Lorain.

If your organization is planning a public event about the tornado that you would like to have included in the community calendar, email Kaitlyn Brulia at kbrulia@lorainhistory.org.